Breastfeeding In May 2000, breastfeeding was added to the list of personal characteristics protected by the Equal Opportunity Act. Before then it was covered by the protection against sex discrimination. Breastfeeding includes the act of expressing breast milk. For more information, see our breastfeeding fact sheet. Since 9 October 2000, Victorians have been protected against discrimination and harassment based on gender identity.
Gender identity means self identification as a member of the relevant gender.
The Equal Opportunity Act acknowledges that a person may identity as a member of a particular gender by their style of dress, medical intervention or by other means, including a change of name. Medical intervention, in this sense, may be any relevant attention or treatment by a qualified medical practitioner, including hormone therapy, counselling and sex reassignment surgery. Other ways a person expresses their gender identity are also recognised. There are a number of common sense exceptions in the Equal Opportunity Act designed to allow employers to meet their critical service delivery needs. These include setting reasonable standards of dress and appearance according to the nature and circumstances of employment.