Need Advice? - Index
- Chain of Command
- Equity Adviser Network
- Senior Leadership Group Equity Advisers
- Fairness and Resolution Centres
- The Defence Equity Advice Lines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support Personnel
- E-mail Equity Advice
Normally, your first point of contact to discuss and resolve any work-related concerns is your supervisor/section commander. This includes any equity issue. If your concern is with your supervisor's behaviour, and you are uncomfortable addressing the issue with them, an Equity Adviser is probably your best contact option.
The aim of the Equity Adviser Network is to provide trained volunteer Equity Advisers in Defence workplaces to both:
- support commanders and managers in implementing equity and diversity initiatives; and
- provide all personnel with support, information and options for the resolution of workplace equity and diversity issues.
The Defence Equity Adviser Network is a network of trained Equity Advisers, which is maintained within ADF units, ships and establishments and other areas of Defence. Commanders and managers are responsible for the maintenance of the Equity Adviser Network, including the nomination of suitable personnel for Equity Adviser courses. The commander/manager is also responsible for promulgating the list of current Equity Advisers within their area of responsibility.
Equity Advisers provide information, advice and support for Service and APS complainants, respondents and management on matters relating to all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual offences. Equity Advisers should not advise more than one party to a dispute. They are not to mediate nor become involved in any investigation, nor the resolution of a complaint where they have been involved in their role as Equity Adviser. Equity Advisers are not to speak on behalf of complainants, respondents or management. They provide support in the implementation of equity and diversity initiatives that contribute to operational capability and effectiveness. Equity Advisers are to be available to assist personnel from any unit, ship, establishment or branch.
To find an Equity Adviser near you, please contact the Cooma Call Centre on 1800 333 362. The request is confidential and there is no requirement to give your name or any other information. Alternatively, you can contact your regional Fairness and Resolution Centre.
Note for Equity Advisers: The EA Toolkit is available for all EA'sand SEA's to provide an updated list of publications relevant to their role. As this is a new resource for you, please provide any feedback or suggestions to equity.advice@defence.gov.au. Please download EA client handout (93k, PDF) and give to clients at the start of any discussion.
Senior Equity Advisers coordinate and support networks of Equity Advisers located within a unit, ship, establishment or branch. To promote the Equity Adviser Network, Senior Equity Advisers maintain and promulgate a list of Equity Advisers at regular intervals through Unit Orders. Senior Equity Advisers coordinate unacceptable behaviour incident reporting requirements in accordance with the Defence Instruction (General) Personnel 35-3 and the Defence Personnel Instruction 3/99.
To service the needs of departmental SES and star ranking officers of the Australian Defence Force, 12 senior staff have been trained as Senior Leadership Group Equity Advisers (SLG EA). The contact details for the SLG EA can be located within the Directorate of Senior Officer Management website (Defweb only).
Fairness and Resolution Centres are located in each State/Territory to provide advice and assistance to all Defence employees on the management and resolution of workplace conflict, unacceptable behaviour and other complaints within Defence.
The Defence Equity Advice Line (DEAL) is a free call number which is currently staffed between 0900 - 2000 Monday - Friday. (except national public holidays).
The advice line provides a confidential information and referral service for all Defence members. Callers can ask about their rights and options before taking action relating to any form of harassment or discrimination. All after hours calls are diverted to a message bank, where confidential messages can be left. If a contact telephone number is left, an operator will respond to the message within 12 hours.
| 1800 803 831 |
Callers wishing to access the DEAL from overseas should call 0011 61 2 6127 2900.
Each base or establishment has support staff, such as Chaplains, psychologists, social workers, legal officers, medical officers and nursing officers, to advise and assist with equity and diversity matters. Depending on the nature of the incident, you may seek advice from any of these people.
Please email equity.advice@defence.gov.au to seek advice or raise issues with Rights and Responsibilities staff. It should be noted that privacy cannot be guaranteed when using this service.
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