Equity Policy

1. Purpose

To provide CIT students with a learning environment in which there is no unlawful or unjust limitation to access or participation in education and training.

2. Scope

This policy covers all prospective and enrolled students at CIT including:

• All students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
• All students from international backgrounds
• All students from Disability backgrounds
• All students in Higher Education programs
• Students experiencing gender diversity
• All students who are, or would be entitled to VET Student Loans and FEE-HELP
• All persons seeking to enrol in a program at CIT and who are, or would be, entitled to VET Student Loans and FEE-HELP
• The selection from among the persons who are, or would be, entitled to VET Student Loans and FEE-HELP, and who seek to enrol with CIT
• The treatment of students who are, or would be entitled to VET Student Loans and FEE-HELP.

3. Principles

3.1 CIT is committed to providing equal opportunity of entry into and progress through CIT courses and access to facilities and services for all prospective and enrolled CIT students, if they meet the specific pre-entry requirements for the course.

3.2 CIT will promote an environment free from discrimination.

3.3 CIT will within its means, provide resources, assistance and promotion of programs in a way which reasonably accommodates individual and group differences.  This does not prevent CIT from taking into account, in making these decisions, educational disadvantages that a particular student has experienced or the fact that the student may be enrolled via a VET restricted access arrangement.

3.4 CIT will have an equity officer who can support students to ensure respectful and responsible behaviour is maintained at CIT, including assistance in dealing with issues and complaints regarding discrimination or harassment, and providing support for students in non-traditional areas of study.  Equity support is available through Student Support 62073290.

4. Documentation

Canberra Institute of Technology Act 1987

Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA)

Age Discrimination Act 2004

Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth)

Disability Services Act 1991 (ACT)

ACT Public Service Code of Ethics (ACT)

Freedom of Information Act 1989 (ACT)

Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT)

Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 (ACT)

Information Privacy Act 2014 (ACT)

Public Sector Management Act 1994 (ACT)

Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Commonwealth)

Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth)

Disability (Access to Premises - Buildings) Standards 2010

Related Policies on CIT website

Bullying and Harassment Prevention Policy

Complaints Students and Community Members Policy

Privacy Policy

Unsatisfactory Student Behaviour Policy

Admission and Enrolment Policy

5. Definitions

Discrimination - Unfavourable treatment of a person or group of people in an area of public life, on the basis of a characteristic identified in the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, or the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Attributes identified in these Acts include, but are not limited to: Race, sexuality, gender identity, relationship status, pregnancy, religious or political conviction, breastfeeding, age, status as a parent or carer and disability. These are called 'protected attributes' or 'grounds'.

Equity - Is ensuring everyone is treated in a fair manner, according to their individual needs.  It requires fairness and impartiality but not necessarily treating everyone the same way. There are occasions where equity involves a decision made in good conscience to treat a person differently according to their circumstances.

FEE-HELP - An income contingent loan available to students enrolled in an eligible bachelor degree program to assist in the payment of their tuition fees.

VET Student Loan - An income contingent loan available to students enrolled in an eligible VET unit of study to assist in the payment of their tuition fees.  

VET unit of study - Refers to a diploma, advanced diploma, graduate certificate or graduate diploma course of study (program) or a qualification specified in the VET Guidelines, that CIT is approved to offer.

6. Policy Contact Officer

Director, CIT Student Services.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through CIT Student Services.