Gender equality is defined as “The equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women, men and trans and gender-diverse people. Equality does not mean that women, men and trans and gender diverse people will become the same but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on their gender.”

We recognize the social, economic and cultural benefits of gender equality and we understand the roles that workplaces can play to help achieve broader societal aims in this area.

Helping Hand is partnering with Our Watch to embed its evidence based workplace equality and respect processes.

Gender Pay Gap Statement

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) publishes gender pay gap information for organisations in Australia.

Helping Hand is committed to achieving gender equality and narrowing the pay gap.

As a not-for-profit aged care provider, our workforce comprises more than 2,000 individuals from various cultures, languages, religions, identities, backgrounds and beliefs. Gender equality stands as one of the five key focus areas our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategy (2023–2025).

Currently, Helping Hand has a 2.7% pay gap in favour of male employees, in comparison to the industry-wide pay gap of 5.1%. Over the past five years, the pay gap between male and female employees at Helping Hand has steadily decreased, underscoring the impact of our action plans and strategies.

Narrowing the pay gap across our organisation involves a comprehensive understanding of the broader context and influences shaping the aged care sector.

To further narrow the pay gap, Helping Hand is exploring various avenues, including enhancing internal capabilities and succession planning, introducing a formal flexible workplace procedure, and implementing a remuneration framework. These initiatives underscore our commitment to fostering equality and fairness at every level of our organisation.

Helping Hand celebrates and embraces the LGBTIQA+ diversity of people who use our services and are in our workforce.

This includes diversity in terms of sexuality, gender identity and sex characteristics. We stand alongside the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex, queer/questioning and asexual (LGBTIQA+) communities as allies in changing community attitudes and practices.

Helping Hand recognises the need for all individuals to feel welcome and included, and to build on our existing commitment to non-discriminatory, respectful behaviour and practices documented in our policies and code of conduct.

Read our position statement about LGBTIQA+ communities, Everyone is Welcome and Included.

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Family and Domestic Violence

Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) is a serious issue. Helping Hand is committed to supporting all people experiencing Family and Domestic Violence. Our support extends to all gender identities and also recognises that for women, Family and Domestic Violence is driven by gender inequality.

We have a range of procedures and guidelines to support team members experiencing FDV. Support is available for all Helping Hand team members, including casuals. There are several options of support available:

  • Ten days of paid leave to attend matters associated with FDV, and recorded as Special Leave
  • Flexible working conditions (such as changing location or rosters)
  • Emergency support in the form of basic personal items, food vouchers, phone, and emergency accommodation up to $1000
  • Referral to expert services.

More than 60 managers across the organisation have participated in training with the Working Women’s Centre to increase their knowledge about FDV and to learn how to support staff who disclose they are experiencing FDV.