Work participation is a critical social determinant of health. This webinar examines new national evidence on employment disparities affecting LGBTIQ+ Australians and the implications for policy and system reform. This webinar will present new national evidence on work participation among LGBTIQ+ Australians using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The session will examine disparities in employment, labour force participation, job type and working conditions, and consider what these patterns reveal about structural barriers and discrimination, and the implications for health equity. 

Work is a key social determinant of health, influencing financial security, access to leave, social connection and long-term wellbeing. This research provides important insights for policymakers, employers and health and social service organisations seeking to address structural inequities affecting LGBTIQ+ populations. 

Despite strong policy attention to workplace inclusion, nationally representative evidence on employment outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians has been limited. This study identifies measurable disparities, including higher unemployment among gay, lesbian and bisexual people, greater labour force non-participation and employment instability among bisexual people, fewer working hours among trans and gender-diverse people, and evidence of transitions out of employment and increased use of sick leave among some groups. Together, these findings suggest the presence of systemic barriers beyond individual qualifications, likely reflecting discrimination, workplace exclusion and the cumulative impacts of minority stress. 

Presentation by

Dr Dee Tomic (She/Her)

Dr Dee Tomic (she/her) is a Research Fellow at the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health and a medically trained epidemiologist. Her research focuses on work, health and equity among LGBTIQ+ Australians. She is currently leading the Pride at Work Study, a national mixed-methods project funded by Pride Foundation Australia, examining LGBTIQ+ workers’ mental health and their views on priorities for building inclusive workplaces. Her work informs government policy and workplace practice to improve health and economic outcomes. 

Work participation is a critical social determinant of health. This webinar examines new national evidence on employment disparities affecting LGBTIQ+ Australians and the implications for policy and system reform. This webinar will present new national evidence on work participation among LGBTIQ+ Australians using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The session will examine disparities in employment, labour force participation, job type and working conditions, and consider what these patterns reveal about structural barriers and discrimination, and the implications for health equity. 

Work is a key social determinant of health, influencing financial security, access to leave, social connection and long-term wellbeing. This research provides important insights for policymakers, employers and health and social service organisations seeking to address structural inequities affecting LGBTIQ+ populations. 

Despite strong policy attention to workplace inclusion, nationally representative evidence on employment outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians has been limited. This study identifies measurable disparities, including higher unemployment among gay, lesbian and bisexual people, greater labour force non-participation and employment instability among bisexual people, fewer working hours among trans and gender-diverse people, and evidence of transitions out of employment and increased use of sick leave among some groups. Together, these findings suggest the presence of systemic barriers beyond individual qualifications, likely reflecting discrimination, workplace exclusion and the cumulative impacts of minority stress. 

Presentation by

Dr Dee Tomic (She/Her)

Dr Dee Tomic (she/her) is a Research Fellow at the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health and a medically trained epidemiologist. Her research focuses on work, health and equity among LGBTIQ+ Australians. She is currently leading the Pride at Work Study, a national mixed-methods project funded by Pride Foundation Australia, examining LGBTIQ+ workers’ mental health and their views on priorities for building inclusive workplaces. Her work informs government policy and workplace practice to improve health and economic outcomes. 

Members, including staff, volunteers and delegates of LHA Full, Regular, Affiliate and Associate member organisations can attend free as part of their supporter benefits.
Please RSVP free here.

LGBTQ+ populations continue to experience significant disparities in mental health and wellbeing outcomes, alongside higher rates of alcohol and other drug use and barriers to accessing appropriate care.

LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations play a critical role in responding to these disparities through approaches that are peer-led and grounded in lived experience. However, there remains limited national understanding of what makes these organisations unique and how they operate in shared ways.

This webinar will explore the Optimise+ project and its work mapping LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations delivering mental health and AOD services across Australia. The session will examine what this work reveals about the current service landscape and how improved visibility of the sector can support stronger policy, planning, funding and service integration.

This webinar will also feature the official launch of new community resources designed to strengthen understanding of LGBTQ+ community-controlled mental health and AOD services across Australia.

Presentation by

Dr Jack Farrugia (He/Him)

Researcher at The Kids Research Institute Australia whose work focuses on regional youth mental health, LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing, and inclusive service delivery. His recent work includes Optimise+, mapping LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations delivering mental health and AOD services.

LGBTQ+ populations continue to experience significant disparities in mental health and wellbeing outcomes, alongside higher rates of alcohol and other drug use and barriers to accessing appropriate care.

LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations play a critical role in responding to these disparities through approaches that are peer-led and grounded in lived experience. However, there remains limited national understanding of what makes these organisations unique and how they operate in shared ways.

This webinar will explore the Optimise+ project and its work mapping LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations delivering mental health and AOD services across Australia. The session will examine what this work reveals about the current service landscape and how improved visibility of the sector can support stronger policy, planning, funding and service integration.

This webinar will also feature the official launch of new community resources designed to strengthen understanding of LGBTQ+ community-controlled mental health and AOD services across Australia.

Presentation by

Dr Jack Farrugia (He/Him)

Researcher at The Kids Research Institute Australia whose work focuses on regional youth mental health, LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing, and inclusive service delivery. His recent work includes Optimise+, mapping LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations delivering mental health and AOD services.

Members, including staff, volunteers and delegates of LHA Full, Regular, Affiliate and Associate member organisations can attend free as part of their supporter benefits.
Please RSVP free here.