Workplace diversity
We acknowledge that the diversity of our people is our greatest strength. We understand that a diverse workplace will have a greater understanding of its clients and the needs of the community.
As an organisation we endeavour to create an environment that values and utilises the contributions of people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Statement of Commitment Workplace Equality, Diversity and inclusion
We commit to building and valuing a diverse workforce that represents the community we serve. A workforce that fosters inclusiveness and embraces the diversity of its people, such as differences in cultural backgrounds, race, ethnicity, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.
We support our staff by realising their full potential through removing employment-related disadvantage and barriers to participation.
We will drive innovation, performance and productivity by empowering our diverse workforce to utilise the unique skills, ideas, perspectives and qualities that they contribute every day.
We will encourage applications from a broad range of suitably skilled people to deliver our diverse responsibilities and to perform our many complex roles by offering flexible work arrangements, through diversity networks, and by implementing relevant diversity action plans.
Our commitment
Our Executive, managers and staff will:
- Create a supportive and enabling culture that recognises the contribution of all genders, and provides opportunities for leadership, career development, flexible work and equal participation.
- Promote disability awareness and confidence, and create an environment that welcomes, supports and encourages an inclusive workplace for people with disability.
- Ensure strong representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff by removing barriers to career progression and enhancing employment opportunities through diverse locations and development programmes.
- Continue to build a workforce that respects and values the contributions of our culturally and linguistically diverse staff, who bring a vast range of individual experiences and capabilities valuable to the work we do.
- Provide a safe, open and accepting environment that supports people of all sexualities and gender identities, where staff can bring their authentic selves to work.
- Engage in ways to retain the corporate knowledge and career experience of our mature workforce, while increasing representation and developing the skills of our younger workforce.
This Statement of Commitment operates in the context of the legislative framework for the Australian Public Service, key Australian Government initiatives for promoting diversity and equal employment opportunity, and the Department’s People Strategy 2020.
