Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to being inclusive, culturally aware, and responsive to the needs of individuals in our policies and practices. Program initiatives have been developed and continue to be implemented to broaden diversity and inclusion in our workplace, supporting a wide range of diversity dimensions including gender, age, disability, LGBTI+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, cultural diversity and neurodiversity.

Find out how our action plans and staff networks encourage diversity.

Diversity helps us to:

• be more innovative
• develop good policy
• better understand and serve our clients
• attract a wide range of talented staff.

Our inclusive workplace understands and respects differences, such as:

• age
• caring responsibilities
• cultural background
• disability
• educational level
• ethnicity
• gender expression
• Intersex status
• religious beliefs
• sexual orientation
• neurodiversity.

Our action plans

We have action plans to support an inclusive and diverse workforce, including our:

Champions promoting diversity

Our senior executives play an important role as champions, providing leadership that creates a positive and inclusive workplace.

Our champions include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Champions
• Disability and Carers Champions
• Gender Equality Champions
• Health Pride Champions
• Multicultural Champions
• Neurodiversity Champions.

Staff networks

We give staff a voice and encourage action on diversity issues. Our Networks include:

• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network, including a Friends of the Network for non-Indigenous staff
• Disability and Carers Network
• Gender Equality Network
• Health Pride Network
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Network
• Neurodiversity Network.

We encourage all staff to join a network.

Who we work with

We are members of:

• Australian Breastfeeding Association — Health is an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace and continues to provide a workplace that supports a family friendly environment which enables employees to balance breastfeeding and work responsibilities.
• Australian Disability Network — a national organisation that helps employers to welcome people with disability in all aspects of business.
• Diversity Council of Australia — an independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Pride in Diversity — an employer support program that encourages Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) workplace inclusion. Health has achieved Bronze Employer status through the Australian Workplace Equality Index, a national  benchmarking tool on LGBTQ workplace inclusion
• Reconciliation Australia — a support organisation that promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and career development

We attract and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff through:

• the Australian Public Service Commission Indigenous Graduate Pathway program
• Services Australia's Indigenous Apprenticeships Program
• the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation, Pat Turner scholarship
• affirmative measures recruitment
• career development opportunities and workshops.

More information

If you have any questions about diversity and inclusion at Health and Aged Care you can contact inclusion@health.gov.au.