Respect at Work: Preventing Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination

This course equips staff and people leaders across Australian education and care settings with a clear, practical understanding of their legal obligations under the positive duty framework introduced by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) as amended, alongside relevant state and territory anti-discrimination and workplace health and safety laws. Participants will learn to recognise sexual harassment, workplace bullying and unlawful discrimination, understand how these issues intersect with child safe cultures, and take concrete steps to prevent harmful conduct before it occurs. The course is designed for the full spectrum of professionals working in schools, early childhood services, vocational education providers, residential care, disability support and community services. Lessons address the specific risks and dynamics of education and care environments, including power imbalances between staff and clients, the vulnerability of children and young people, and the obligation on organisations to maintain cultures of dignity and respect. Real-world scenarios ground every concept in the everyday realities participants encounter. People leaders receive targeted content on their additional responsibilities: setting behavioural expectations, responding proportionately to reports, supporting affected workers, and documenting actions to demonstrate compliance. On completion, participants will be able to identify reportable conduct, apply the civil standard of proof in preliminary assessments, and contribute meaningfully to their organisation's proactive prevention obligations under federal and state frameworks.