Advice for local government

As part of a workplace gender audit, councils will need to collect and report data on the gender composition of their governing body. For councils, the governing body is comprised of the Mayor and Councillors. We acknowledge that councils do not have control over the gender composition of the group of Councillors, as they are democratically elected.

Read more about workplace gender audits and the workplace gender equality indicators. You can also download the ANZSCO guidance for local councils below.

The new Local Government Act 2020 includes a requirement to develop a workforce plan every four years. The workforce plan must include measures relating to gender equality. By doing a Gender Equality Action Plan that meets the requirements of the Gender Equality Act, councils will be meeting this requirement of the Local Government Act. Please note that complying with the gender equality requirements of the Local Government Act will not satisfy the requirements of the Gender Equality Act.

See Local Government Victoria for more information about the Local Government Act.

Your Gender Equality Action Plan does not need to be a standalone document – for example, it could form part of your Council Plan. You can also update an existing plan to meet the GEAP requirements. However, you must ensure that the plan meets the requirements set out in the Gender Equality Act – whether it’s a new document, updated document, or chapters of a broader plan.

Read more about what’s required and how to develop your Gender Equality Action Plan.

From 31 March 2021, the Gender Equality Act requires a gender impact assessment to be conducted of policies, programs and services that are new or up for review and have a direct and significant impact on the public.

Examples of local government policies, programs and services that a gender impact assessment could be conducted for include:

• Infrastructure projects such as roads, paths and lighting
• Services such as waste collection, childcare and services for people with disabilities
• Parks and sporting facilities management

Engaging the community is one way of ensuring a gender impact assessment considers the needs of people of different genders and backgrounds. Councils may wish to apply their Community Engagement Policy, required under the Local Government Act 2020, when doing a gender impact assessment.

We encourage councils to incorporate a gender impact assessment process from the earliest stages of design and development of policies, programs and services. This includes when developing broad plans and strategies, such as a Council Plan or Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. It’s important to ensure that your strategic direction considers the needs and experiences of Victorians of all genders.

Women’s Health in the North have developed a useful resource on applying a gendered lens to municipal and health planning.

Read detailed information on gender impact assessments.

Local Government Victoria: Gender equity in local government

Local Government Victoria’s best practice guide and supporting research companion for promoting gender equity in local government.

Gender Equality and Local Government factsheet – Local Government Act 2020

The Local Government Act 2020 and the Gender Equality Act 2020 work together to address the causes and impacts of gender inequality.

Municipal Association of Victoria

MAV supports councils to deliver, partner and lead gender equality and preventing violence against women (PVAW) work in their communities and raises the profile of the local government sector’s work in this space.

General leading practice resources