• Substantive equality
• About Substantive Equality

About Substantive Equality

 If you want to treat me equally, you may have to be prepared to treat me differently

Substantive equality recognizes that policies and practices which on their face maybe non-discriminatory but which do not respond to need, can result in inequalities that can be unlawful.

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Policy Framework for Substantive Equality

In December 2004, following a pilot project to examine systemic racism, the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality was endorsed as official Government policy.  As a result the Substantive Equality Unit located in the Equal Opportunity Commission was established. The Policy Framework addresses systemic racism and is designed to ensure the WA  public service meets the different needs of WA’s diverse community. This model of service provision is based on substantive equality. The Policy Framework is an expression of the principles in the WA Charter of Multiculturalism.

What is systemic racism?

Systemic racism is racism embedded in the policies and practices of organisations. While it is often unintentional, systemic racism can exclude certain people from full participation in the services provided by these organisations. 

Organisations may think that by treating everyone the same, they are providing the best service to everybody, however certain Indigenous, minority or marginalised members of the community have specific needs and need to be treated differently to have those needs met. 

A core challenge for organisations addressing systemic racism is the need to think beyond the actions of people within the organisation. We need to see how institutional structures, routine practices and work place cultures combine to produce inequality

What is Substantive Equality?

Substantive Equality means a ‘one size fits all’ model for service delivery is no longer an effective means of providing services to a community with different needs. 

When all people have access to a public service that best meets the different needs of WA’s diverse community, then substantive equality in the public service can be achieved. 

Substantive equality in Western Australia recognises the distinct status of Aboriginal people as the first Australians and as citizens of Australia. 

What does the Substantive Equality Unit do?

The Substantive Equality Unit (SEU) was established within the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) in 2006. The Unit focuses on preventing systemic race discrimination by assisting major public sector organisations assess their services so fair outcomes for all the community can be achieved.

The role of the SEU is to guide public sector agencies in identifying and assessing how policies, programs and practices affect Indigenous people and ethnic minority groups they provide services to. At the same time the SEU monitors the implementation of policies and programs and makes sure they meet the diverse needs of the people of Western Australia. This is done by ensuring staff within agencies are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address issues of systemic racism through training and ongoing support via a Portfolio or Contact Officer from the SEU. Finally the SEU also aims to recognise and appraise organisational progress towards achieving substantive equality within government departments. This is guided by the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality.