Gender Equity in Higher Education at Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University actively works to advance gender equity in higher education by implementing policies and initiatives that support the success of women as students and staff.

Monitoring and Addressing Gender Gaps

We monitor application, entry, and graduation rates for women and men to identify trends and inform actions that promote equity. In 2024, 63% of our graduating students were women, reflecting positive progress in participation and completion.

For data and insights on student equity groups at Charles Sturt University, visit Equity at Charles Sturt.

Charles Sturt is proud to be a provider of the Australian Department of Education’s Women in STEM Cadetship and Advanced Apprenticeships program since 2022. This collaboration aims to encourage women’s participation in higher education in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) fields.  Learn about the program in action at Charles Sturt.

In 2024 Charles Sturt proudly hosted the 20^th Gender and Education Association (GEA) conference on our Port Macquarie Campus. The conference brought together education practitioners at all levels to increase diversity and inclusion in education, improving equal opportunities for all.

Family-Friendly Policies and Facilities

Charles Sturt provides gender-supportive leave policies, including maternity and partner leave, to help staff balance work and caring responsibilities. These policies aim to support women’s participation by enabling shared caregiving roles.

For students and staff, we offer childcare facilities at several campuses and parent rooms to make study and work more accessible for parents, including recent mothers.

Mentoring and Scholarships

The university offers mentoring programs open to all students, providing opportunities for women to access guidance for academic success and career development (Mentoring Program).

Learn about mentoring programs available to women.

We also provide scholarships targeted at women such as the ZONTA Jil Salter Memorial Women in Rural Health Scholarship, Riverina Group Country Women’s Association of NSW Scholarship, and Women in Racing Canberra Prize to support women in specific fields.

Promoting Safety and Inclusion

Through Project Zero, Charles Sturt works to address gender-based violence and foster a safe, inclusive environment for all students. This includes education, policy development, and cultural change initiatives across the institution.

Recognition and Research

Charles Sturt has been recognised through the Athena Swan Bronze Institutional Award, which benchmarks our gender equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts against international standards. We also support research and collaboration in gender and equity studies through The Gender Network.