Preventing and Responding to Workplace Sexual Harassment in VET

The Importance of Safe Learning Environments

Vocational education and training (VET) often places students in real workplaces through practical placements or apprenticeships. These experiences are vital to skill development — but they can also expose learners to risks, including sexual harassment. Ensuring that students are safe and supported during these placements is a critical component of an RTO’s duty of care and aligns with national child safety principles

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behaviour that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. It can occur between students, trainers, supervisors, or clients — and it doesn’t always happen in person. Online and digital spaces, such as messaging platforms used during placements, can also become sites of harassment.

Recognising and Preventing Harassment

Prevention starts with awareness. Students entering the workforce may not always recognise inappropriate conduct or feel confident speaking up. That’s why education and preparation are key.

Strategies for prevention include:

• Embedding respectful behaviour training: Integrate modules on consent, boundaries, and workplace respect into induction sessions or early learning units.
• Setting clear expectations: Before any placement, clearly outline what constitutes harassment, the RTO’s zero-tolerance stance, and how students can safely report incidents.
• Training workplace supervisors: Employers hosting students should understand their obligations to provide safe environments and know how to handle complaints with care.
• Maintaining open communication: Encourage students to check in regularly with trainers or placement coordinators during their time in the workplace.

By addressing harassment proactively, RTOs send a powerful message that every learner has the right to dignity and safety at work.

Responding to Reports

When a student discloses harassment, the response must be swift, compassionate, and procedural. The goal is to ensure immediate safety while respecting confidentiality and due process.

A supportive response includes:

1. Listen and believe: Take all disclosures seriously — never dismiss or minimise a report.
2. Ensure safety first: If possible, remove the student from the unsafe environment immediately.
3. Follow reporting protocols: Document the incident and notify the appropriate internal and external authorities as required.
4. Provide ongoing support: Offer access to counselling, advocacy, or student wellbeing services to help the student recover and re-engage with training.

RTOs can also review the placement provider’s practices to prevent recurrence, ensuring all parties uphold their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act and relevant VET quality standards.