Fair Access for peak bodies

On this page:

• What does Fair Access mean for local councils?
• What does Fair Access mean for state sporting associations and state sport and recreation active bodies?
• What does Fair Access mean for regional sports assemblies?

What does Fair Access mean for local councils?

Every council has adopted its own gender equitable access and use policy (or equivalent) for community sport infrastructure in local areas. Now it's time to bring the action plans to life.

Councils will need to provide progress updates on delivering their policy and action plans via the annual Progress Survey to be eligible for Victorian government funding for community sport infrastructure. The survey, facilitated by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, will show statewide progress and the unique implementation journey of each council's policy. Councils can access a Word document version of the survey to support drafting and internal review.

Councils have until 4 June 2025 to complete the 2024-25 Progress Survey.

The policy aligns with councils’ existing obligations as Defined Entities under the Gender Equality Act 2020.

What does Fair Access mean for state sporting associations and state sport and active recreation bodies?

State sporting bodies can support clubs, leagues and associations from a whole of sport perspective.

This could include:

• implementing a flexible uniform policy
• delivering education sessions and workshops to members on welcome and inclusive cultures
• developing an equal scheduling policy
• promoting resources to help inform members, or developing a gender equity strategy with an associated action plan.

We encourage you to learn more about the Fair Access principles and how different councils are approaching policy implementation and action plans.

What does Fair Access mean for regional sports assemblies?

Regional Sports Assemblies provide volunteer support, information, and training and development opportunities to local clubs in rural and regional Victoria. They can support councils, clubs, leagues, associations and state sporting bodies to implement changes in line with Fair Access.

This could include:

• delivering education and training e.g., governance, coaching, gender equity
• providing advice and support on how to deliver actions in certain local areas and communities
• sharing resources, case studies, and ideas
• helping connect clubs and other community stakeholders
• supporting organisations to undertake Gender Impact Assessments, Gender Equality Action Plans, or other Club Gender Audit tools to identify opportunities for growth.

We encourage you to learn more about the Fair Access principles and how different councils are approaching policy implementation and action plans.

This may include connecting with Regional Sport Victoria and other RSAs to understand what's taking place across the network.

To understand what actions are being taken from a whole of sport perspective, reach out to your relevant Victorian state sporting association.

Do you have more questions?

Contact the Fair Access team at fairaccess@sport.vic.gov.au.