Diversity, equity, inclusion and safeguarding
Creating an inclusive sport space is a journey. You don’t have to do everything at once. Even small, actions can make a big difference. These actions can attract new members, encourage more volunteers, and build a community where everyone feels included.
The guide to diversity, equity, and inclusion 3 MB) is based on three simple principles:
- Start small – take small steps to make a difference.
- Listen first – pay attention to what others need and say.
- Momentum beats perfection – focus on progress, even if it’s not perfect.
Keeping your organisation safe means protecting everyone from harm. This includes having clear rules, a positive culture, and making sure everyone feels safe physically, emotionally, and culturally. Everyone has a role to play; committee members, coaches, parents, and players all work together to create a safe environment. Safeguarding means noticing problems early, responding with care, and always looking for ways to improve. When safeguarding is done well, people feel safe, respected, and supported.
The safeguarding and integrity resource 705.8 KB) offers clear, practical guidance to help your organisation protect members and create a safe space.
Inclusion and safeguarding resources
The following key national resources provide guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion in sport.
- Play by the rules provides free online resources to the Australian sports sector, covering topics such as child safety, bullying, discrimination and harassment.
- To promote more inclusive sport practices in our community, the Australian Sports Commission provides a variety of easy-to-use tools and resources to help organisations understand, recognise and celebrate inclusion and diversity.
- Welcoming Clubs is an overarching initiative for programs that embrace the power of sport and recreation as a vehicle for inclusion, opportunity and belonging for all members of the community.
- Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program designed to assist sporting organisations of all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders.
- Sport 4 All provides community sport clubs with the support and skills to include people with disability.
- Our Watch has a range of tools and resources to support sporting organisations in addressing the gendered drivers and preventing violence against women.
- Sports Integrity Australia provides educational resources about integrity threats facing sport, like discrimination, harassment, child abuse, competition manipulation, illegal sports betting, illegal drugs and improper use of medicines and supplements.
- The National Integrity Framework is a set of policies that helps keep sport safe, fair and healthy for everyone by providing a clear process for managing integrity issues.
- The Queensland Family and Child Commission outline the 10 Child Safe Standards that form the mandatory framework for child safe organisations in Queensland.
- Clearinghouse for sport provides trusted research, insights and examples of good practice to support informed decision-making in the sport and recreation sector.
- The Australian Concussion in Sport guidelines provide the most current, evidence-based information on concussion for the entire sporting community.
- Create a free account to access the Australian Sports Commission’s Game Plan online platform of resources, for sporting clubs of all sizes, to support club development.
- The Australian Sports Commission provides essential resources and insights tailored to each priority area of the Play Well strategy .
- The eSafety Commissioner Sports Hub provides online safety advice and resources to help make sure everyone in sport has a more positive experience online.
- The Medicare Mental Health website has practical tips on how to start a safe conversation regarding your wellbeing.
- Children and young people
- Kids Helpline is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800 at any time for any reason.
- Institutional child abuse support
- The National Redress Scheme is for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
- QSport is the industry peak body for sport in Queensland.
- Outdoors Queensland is the industry peak body for the outdoors and outdoor activities in Queensland.
- The Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) helps with the following:
- Providing an expert dispute resolution service for discrimination, human rights, sexual harassment and vilification complaints.
- Providing a free and personalised information service on rights and responsibilities.
- Training businesses, government and the community.
- Supporting the development of policy and legislation to better protect rights.
- Increasing public understanding and discussion of human rights and responsibilities.