About ECU

The Pride at ECU Committee, established in 2019, is a sub-committee of the Equity and Diversity Committee, a senior management committee of the Vice-Chancellor. The committee provides high-level advice and support to progress policies, procedures, practices and initiatives across ECU that are proactively inclusive and responsive to the needs and experiences of LGBTIQA+ people. The committee is made up of a diverse range of ECU stakeholders, including ECU students, and staff from Access and Equity, Student Life, People and Culture, school leadership, centre leadership, academia, the LGBTIQA+ Staff Network, the LGBTIQA+ Ally Network and Co-opted members (as required).

ECU proudly acknowledges and celebrates several LGBTIQA+ dates of significance throughout the calendar year including International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Wear It Purple Day, Intersex Awareness Day and Pride. We do this to raise awareness of diverse LGBTIQA+ experiences and promote a culture that celebrates and includes LGBTIQA+ people.

In 2019, in response to a student-led initiative, ECU introduced all gender bathrooms on our Joondalup, Mount Lawley and Bunbury campuses, in addition to existing gendered facilities. When our city campus opens in 2026, there will be purpose built, all gender bathrooms available in addition to gendered facilities. It is important that staff, students and visitors have access to safe and affirming facilities while on campus. All gender bathrooms can be used by people of any gender.

Everyone is encouraged to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable with and that affirms their gender.

View all gender bathroom maps

ECU signed the Darlington Statement in 2022. The Darlington Statement is a joint consensus statement by Australian and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex organisations and independent advocates calling for progress to intersex human rights. At ECU, we have an ongoing and maturing commitment to supporting intersex staff, colleagues and the wider community, and understand the responsibility we have as a tertiary institution to ensure our graduates take a human rights approach to supporting intersex people in their respective careers and communities.

Read the Darlington Statement

ECU is a member of Pride in Diversity and participates in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) to measure LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. We are proud to have first achieved Bronze Employer status since 2021, and Silver Employer Status in 2024.

• Bronze Employer – 2021
• Bronze Employer – 2022
• Bronze Employer – 2023-2026
• Silver Employer – 2024
• Silver Employer – 2025

EAP provides employees and their immediate family members access to free and confidential short-term psychological assistance for either personal or work related issues. ECU’s EAP provider, People Sense, have psychologists who train and guide their team on diverse gender and sexuality. Learn more.

ECU has inclusive policies and affirming policies for LGBTIQA+ staff including our Diversity and Inclusion Employment Policy and gender affirmation leave within our leave entitlements.

ECU's LGBTIQA+ Ally Network brings together like-minded ECU staff to support the University in building an inclusive environment where LGBTIQA+ people feel safe, supported, and proud to be themselves. Established in 2008, the Network now has over 200 staff members, and a Leadership Team who coordinate LGBTIQA+ events and initiatives at ECU. Staff members are required to complete training to be part of the Network, and are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities and community of practice. Learn More

We know how important it is to connect to people with similar lived experiences and build community. The LGBTIQA+ Staff Network is a network for LGBTIQA+ staff to connect, socialise, build professional relationships, share experiences, learn and advocate for their needs and interests. Current ECU staff learn more.

We want students to feel empowered to be themselves when they graduate and enter into their chosen profession. While a student’s legal name is required on their testamur, the name called out at their graduation ceremony can be their preferred or affirmed name.

Whether you want to join the Young Alumni Network (YAN), become a mentor, organise a reunion or just stay up to date on what’s happening at ECU – there is something for everyone.

Learn more

We are committed to addressing the systemic inequalities and barriers trans, gender diverse and non-binary people face. If an ECU Alumni haslegally changed their name due to affirming their gender, ECU will reproduce a testamur with their new legal name, free of charge. Learn more.

We are proud of the diverse lived experiences and achievements of our Alumni. Why not follow in the footsteps of Narelda Jacobs, the first Aboriginal and openly lesbian news anchor for a commercial network in Australia, and share your story.

• Email us and share your story
• Read Narelda Jacobs’ story