Avant is focusing on five themes for action across environmental, social and governance matters where we can have most impact and create long-term value for members. These themes are aligned to member values and our commitment to give confidence to doctors in serving the community. As a mutual, actions for sustainability are embedded in our business practices today, and we are committed to continually uplifting our performance across each of the areas. We strive to always be the most trusted professional partner supporting doctors.
Our sustainability framework was developed in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and Principles for Sustainable Insurance. We seek to take action in 9 of the 17 areas framed by the SDGs, which address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
Avant has served many generations of members over the 128 years of its existence. Because the concept of sustainability is fundamental for a mutual organisation, we are keenly focused on running Avant in a manner which is true to the values of today’s members and will deliver value well into the future. With this mutual ethos in mind, we are consistently assessing our sustainability activities in environmental, social and governance matters.
Dr Beverley Rowbotham, Chair, Avant Mutual
We invest to drive improvements in healthcare, focusing on areas identified as most in need. This is achieved through funding of member research and initiatives, fearlessly advocating for improvements in healthcare, and influencing doctors’ training for better health outcomes.
The wellbeing of doctors is essential for the delivery of healthcare. Working with stakeholders, we strive to change the systems and cultures adversely impacting doctors’ health and wellbeing. Avant is also committed to ensuring the good physical and mental health of its employees engaging with employees to be a model organisation for employee welfare.
Australia’s multicultural society is reflected in our membership and the diverse communities our members serve. We seek a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion to be fostered across the healthcare industry, and to be a leading example by transparently building a diverse and inclusive workplace that harnesses people’s unique capabilities and perspectives.
We are committed to minimising our carbon footprint through sustainable consumption and production to aid generational sustainability.To progress our sustainable consumption journey, we have reduced our travel and introduced lower energy lighting in our offices.
As a member-owned organisation, we have a responsibility to act in members’ best interests and in a way they can take pride. Good corporate governance and sound risk management practices lay the foundation of a sustainable organisation. We maintain high standards of governance and regulatory compliance which is overseen by the doctors and business experts on our board.
Avant has invested $17.5m on education, research, grants, scholarships and advocacy activities, over the last 3 financial years (to 2022).
We are supporting the next generation of doctors in their education as part of our $1.39m grants programs.
Avant is an equal opportunities employer with half our workforce and elected board members being female, including our Group CEO and Chair.
" The coaching experience has improved how I manage challenging clinical or research scenarios. Having the coach, a senior clinician who I respect enormously, provide me with strategies was amazing. I often think of a few specific phrases she said to me when I am in new situations and it has definitely improved my skills and confidence. "
Dr Matti Gild BSc, MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP