WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality applications

WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality

Everything you need to know about the WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation

The WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation recognises, encourages and promotes organisations with an active commitment to workplace gender equality. 

WGEA accepts new applications for the voluntary leading practice program each year. Successful organisations will hold the citation for two years. 

EOCGE organisations must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. They must also meet all the assessment criteria. 

The criteria

WGEA's EOCGE criteria spans seven focus areas: 

  • Leadership, strategy and accountability  
  • Developing a gender-balanced workforce  
  • Gender pay equity  
  • Support for caring 
  • Mainstreaming flexible work  
  • Preventing sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and discrimination, and bullying.
  • Driving change beyond your workplace

These seven areas reflect the latest academic research in how employers can improve workplace gender equality. WGEA also consulted gender equality experts and practitioners, industry groups and employers.

During the application process WGEA will assess employees’ experience through a consultation process. Applicants can also highlight any outstanding initiatives they have undertaken.

How to become a new WGEA Employer of Choice

All employers who wish to apply for the WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for the first time, will need to enrol in the EOCGE program in the WGEA Employer Portal.

You will be able to enrol for the 2023-25 EOCGE program from 28 August 2023.

Once enrolled, applicants can complete the online questionnaire and application in the WGEA Employer Portal from 28 August, but it must be completed and submitted by 30 November 2023.

The information provided by all new applicants, must cover the 12 months from 1 October 2022 to 30 November 2023.

How to renew your EOCGE citation

Organisations holding the 2021-23 citation who wish to renew for a further two years will also need to enrol in the 2023-25 EOCGE program in the WGEA Employer Portal. Once enrolled, employers should submit an online renewal application between 28 August and the due date of 30 November 2023. Information provided in your 2023-25 application must cover the period 1 October 2021 to 30 November 2023.

Note that WGEA introduced one new requirement to the citation in 2022. This requirement is related to employer funded parental leave. Renewing employers must meet the new criteria to be eligible for the citation. For more information see the last requirement under 4.2 in the 2023-25 Guide to Citation below. 

WGEA has provided an offline Word version of the renewal application form and a 2023-25 Guide to Citation to assist you in preparing your application below. 

WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation guides

2023-25 Guide to Citation

The 2023-25 WGEA Employer of Choice citation guide details the requirements employers need to meet to hold the EOCGE citation.

2023-25 Indicative Questionnaire

The WGEA 2023-25 EOCGE Indicative Questionnaire is the companion document to the citation guide. 

How much does the WGEA Employer of Choice citation cost?

To maintain the high standard of assessment, there is an applicable fee. The fee covers the Cost to the Agency of administering the citation.

The non-refundable fee for two years is $3,900 (including GST). Half of the fee ($1,950) is payable on submission of your application, the other half is payable in the interim year. A separate invoice for $1,950 will be issued in the interim year.

If the application fee is a barrier to applying for the EOCGE citation, please contact WGEA to discuss further.