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We’re Hiring! 📢
We are looking for two brilliant leaders to lead a funded, feminist, ambitious and impact driven organisation. The WWC SA is an institution for many, the Directors are the custodians of this important organisation.
The Deputy Director has a focus on internal organizational culture while the Director is the spokesperson, financial and good governance driven leader. Excellent conditions.
https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/workingwomenscentre/director-1
https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/workingwomenscentre/deputy-director
The Albanese Government funds Working Women’s Centres across the country.
Working Women’s Centres (WWC) have been funded in every state and territory to assist women who are experiencing sexual harassment, discrimination and other workplace issues.
The Albanese Government has funded established centres (South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory) and women’s legal centres, community legal centres, unions and workers’ compensation services to establish centres in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
Newly established WWCs are set to commence operations and will shortly provide free and confidential support to women seeking information, support and advice about workplace issues, with a focus on sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
The funding responds to Recommendation 49 of the Respect@Work report which stated:
Australian governments provide increased and recurrent funding to Working Women’s Centres to provide information, advice, and assistance to vulnerable workers who experience sexual harassment.
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, in her Respect@ Work Report recognised the unique holistic support provided by Working Women’s Centres: “We found they were uniquely the most effective, victim-centric model that could deliver support, advice [and] advocacy to women [across a] range of issues in their work.”
The established South Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland WWCs have been fighting for ongoing and expanded funding for decades and excitingly welcome the expansion of the WWC network.
WWCs provide crucial legal, education and advocacy services to women who are experiencing workplace issues, predominately sexual harassment and discrimination. Legal advice and representation for working women and representation is free, confidential and trauma informed.
Centres will also undertake important work to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace by providing workplace training and community education to assist employers to create safe workplaces.
WWCs have always worked in partnership with the women’s movement, trade unions, all levels of government and legal providers to assist women who fall through the cracks. This new funding will strengthen these relationships nationwide.
Funding
The already established South Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland WWCs have been funded to expand their services.
The following services have been funded to establish Centres in:
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Working Women’s Centre Australia (National Body)
The Albanese Government has also funded the South Australian Working Women’s Centre to establish the National Body, Working Women’s Centre Australia which will lead and coordinate advocacy, research and contributions to policy debates about systemic issues effecting working women.
Abbey Kendall, former Director of the South Australian Working Women’s Centre has been appointed the WWC Australia CEO.
State and Territory Services
Media contacts in each state and territory can be contacted to discuss local WWC Centres and their operations.
Quotes Attributable to Abbey Kendall, WWC Australia CEO:
“For 45 years, Working Women’s Centres have been a voice for Australian women. This funding is an opportunity to build, extend and expand our impact in all states and territories and improve the lives of Working Women across the country.”
“Working Women’s centres are an industrial safety net for working women who fall through the cracks. Our holistic model of service has been nationally recognised in the Respect@Work report and this new funding will allow us to reach more women and help create safer workplaces for everyone. ”
“The government’s investment in Working Women’s Centres fosters a more equitable and inclusive society where every woman can thrive. By supporting women in the workforce, we unlock their full potential, driving economic growth and social progress for the benefit of all.”
Quotes Attributable to Katrina Ironside Women’s Legal Services NSW CEO”
Women’s Legal Service NSW has provided legal services to working women for more than 20 years, enhancing women’s economic security and moving the dial on gender equality. We have provided free specialist legal help to working women who have been forced to endure sexual harassment and discrimination at work, as well as undertaking systemic advocacy in support of women’s rights at work. Â
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We are delighted to have been recognised for this work by being funded to establish the new Working Women’s Centre in NSW. The funding will ensure women’s safety and economic security as working women. This is the only gender-specific trauma informed service for working women in NSW. Â
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We look forward to being able to assist more women to stand up for their right to a safe workplace.Â
Quotes attributable to Dr Jennie Gray, Women’s Legal Service WA CEO
“Women’s Legal Service WA is excited to be partnering with Circle Green to deliver the inaugural Working Women’s Centre in Western Australia. Our collaboration leverages our expertise in both the provision of gender specific legal services and employment law.”Â
“The establishment of a Centre in Western Australia’s has been long awaited. We are looking forward to delivering services to improve outcomes for women with workplace issues that reflect this state’s geography, scale and industries.’ Â
Quotes Attributable to Kristen Wallwork, Executive Director South-East Monash Legal Service Victoria:
“The establishment of Working Women Centre Victoria marks a significant milestone in addressing the needs of women across Victoria,” said Kristen Wallwork, Executive Director of SMLS. “Our consortium combines the expertise of four leading organisations committed to advancing gender equity and justice in the workplace. The consortium looks forward to collaborating closely with our local partners to deliver impactful services, and with the Working Women’s Centre National Body to drive positive change,”
Quotes Attributable to Eloise Dalton – Working Women Queensland Director, part of Basic Rights Queensland
“We currently provide services to over 1000 women each year. This funding means we can continue to provide critical services to women who have nowhere else to turn when faced with sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and underpayments. The existing and newly established Centres will play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of women in the workforce.”
Quotes attributable to Nicki Petrou, Director NT WWC
“After many years, we are pleased to see some funding security and recognition of the value that Working Women’s Centres provide to working women, the community, including the unique challenges involving working and delivering services in remote, regional,  rural locations. This enables us to now get on with vital work addressing poor employment practices both individually and systemically and continue to provide a safe place for women to seek our support.Â
Existing Working Women’s Centres have worked collaboratively, advocating for sustainable funding including for a national peak body. We are excited to see this vision realised and look forward to working with the new Working Women’s Centres. We appreciate the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the Respect@Work report recommendations, and the work of the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins and her team in relation to this landmark report and support.”
Quotes attributable to Nikki Candy, Interim Director of SA WWC
“We are so pleased to grow the WWC network and increase our impact across the country. Working Women’s Centre’s are an institution for working women, and our service has been life changing for many South Australian women. We look forward to expanding our education and workplace training services to ensure that we are providing workplace education to workplaces in small to medium enterprise, in high-risk industries and to those who need it the most.”
Quote attributable to Yvette Cehtel, Women’s Legal Services Tasmania CEO”
“Women’s Legal Service Tasmania (WLST) and Worker Assist Tasmania are excited to be launching a Working Women’s Centre in Tasmania through WLST. This will mean women in Tasmania will have access to legal assistance covering sexual harassment, employment law, discrimination and workers compensation, accessible in one place.
The legal assistance will be supplemented with integrated social support from a social worker and a financial counsellor. Part of the offering will also be the rolling out of training and workshops targeting employers to improve safety at work.
WLST and Worker Assist Tasmania are currently recruiting for these positions.”
Media Contacts
WWC Australia
Abbey Kendall, CEO of Working Women’s Centres Australia
Email: abbey@wwc.org.au
08 8410 6499
South Australia
Nikki Candy, Interim WWC SA Director
Email: nikk@wwc.org.au
08 8410 6499
Queensland
Eloise Dalton – Director of Working Women’s Queensland
07 3421 2505
Northern Territory
Nicki Petrou – WWC NT Director
(08) 8981 0655
Western Australia
Dr Jennie Gray CEO of Women’s Legal Services
0427 017 467
New South Wales
Katrina Ironside Women’s Legal Service NSW CEO
Katrina.Ironside@wlsnsw.org.au
(02) 8745 6900
Tasmania
Yvette Cehtel CEO Women’s Legal Service Tasmania
(03) 6231 9466
Victoria
South-East Monash Legal Service Inc – consortium arrangement
Kristen Wallwork (Executive Director)
(03) 9545 7400
Â
Australian Capital Territory
Elena Rosenman Women’s Legal Services ACT CEO
(02) 6257 4377
The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched Speaking from Experience, a
landmark project that centres the voices of people with lived experience in workplace
sexual harassment reform.
Sexual harassment is still unacceptably prevalent in Australian workplaces, with one in
three people having experienced workplace sexual harassment in Australia in the last
five years. The Commission is inviting people who have been sexually harassed at work
to have their say about what they think needs to change to make workplaces safer. The
information gathered will help create resources that will help workers and employers
know how to make workplaces safer for everyone, as well as inform future law reform
priorities.
Through a user-friendly web portal hosted on the Commission website, people who
have been sexually harassed at work can submit written or audio submissions outlining
their recommendations on what needs to change to address workplace sexual
harassment.
Participation in the project is voluntary and open to all individuals in Australia.
You can view and share the web portal here: https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/sex
discrimination/speaking-experience
In addition to the online submissions, the Commission will conduct in-person
consultations across Australia to ensure the voices of marginalised groups are heard.
The consultations will prioritise input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
workers, young people, culturally and racially marginalised workers, people with
disability, LGBTIQ+ workers, and other groups disproportionately targeted by
perpetrators of workplace sexual harassment.
If you would like to be a community partner for the in-person consultations, please read
the flyer attached and email speakingfromexperience@humanrights.gov.au
Our latest Annual Report showcases our achievements in the last financial year, and helps to tell the story of the work that we do, for the benefit of our clients.
You can download our Report here
The Working Women’s Centre is looking for HR Managers and employers to take part in the pilot version of our Young LGBTQIA+ Women & Non-Binary Workers Support program. The program has been designed in consultation with young SA LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary workers and aims to aid HR managers and other employees to foster safe and supportive workplaces for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary workers. The training will be provided free of cost, all we ask of you is to attend and provide feedback at the end.
The program will be delivered online, on the 21st of June, 9:30-12:30am ACST.
Click here to register.
The Working Women’s Centre SA joins a coalition of women’s, justice and legal groups who are calling for all South Australian parliamentarians to oppose the passing of these anti-protest laws. We implore you to consider the long-lasting implications of this legislation and its impact on the values of equality, justice, and democracy that our state prides itself on. We urge you to seek alternative approaches that balance public safety with the preservation of our cherished democratic rights.
We are deeply saddened to share the loss of our dear friend and comrade Michelle Hogan. Michelle was a passionate and dedicated feminist unionist and long-time member and Chair of the South Australian Working Women’s Centre Management Committee.
Michelle served as our Chair for five years. Her leadership strengthened the Working Women’s Centre, supported us through difficulties, and inspired our growth and transformation into the organisation we are today.
We will miss her courage, her warmth, her intelligence, and her fierce determination.
Michelle was unrelenting in her pursuit of a more equitable world for working women. She was a role model and mentor for many South Australians dedicated to this cause.
Her legacy includes her contribution to the Anna Stewart Memorial Project – a program that has trained and emboldened a generation of union women.
Michelle went above and beyond for her community both as a worker and an activist. For over 40 years, her career involved significant work in education, women’s community services, women’s health, civil society and the trade union movement.
Michelle was Assistant Secretary of the UTLC of SA (SA Unions) during the early 2000’s. She volunteered her time and energy to work with the May Day Collective, APHEDA Union Aid Abroad, and the National Trust of Australia. Michelle was an elected local councilor in the Port Adelaide Enfield Local Council.
We express our deepest sympathies and support for Michelle’s partner Robert and her family as they grieve this significant loss. We share our condolences with Michelle’s many friends, comrades and colleagues including those she knew through her work at the Centre, and the many other causes and communities she belonged to, connected with and built.
The Working Women’s Centre would not be in the position it is today without Michelle’s tireless work and passion. We thank her for all she did to support us, including being our leader, advocate, and lifelong friend.
We also thank our clients, supporters, and friends for their patience during this time. We are so sad to have lost Michelle. We loved Michelle and we will bring Michelle’s passion, commitment and strength as we continue to support working women across South Australia.
In solidarity,
The Working Women’s Centre Board and Staff
