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Reflecting on this year’s progress and looking ahead to 2025
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As 2024 comes to a close, DCA is reflecting on a year marked by progress, innovation, and meaningful impact, where we have worked with our members to drive inclusion and equity in workplaces across Australia. We also say goodbye to a remarkable leader, Lisa Annese, whose legacy will continue to shape our vision for the future.
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A look back at our achievements this year
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DCA’s research and events lineup for 2025
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We have an impressive line-up of industry-leading research planned for 2025, including:
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- Class Inclusion at Work: This pioneering study will explore social class inclusion in Australian workplaces to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations for how employers can address class-based exclusion.
- New guides and resources: DCA will continue to produce industry-leading resources to inform our members' work, including a guide to getting started on D&I.
- Tools for an evidence-led approach: Our focus remains on providing practical tools and actionable data in 2025, with the release of guidelines for applying intersectionality at work, and for collecting, analysing and reporting on diversity and inclusion data, as well as recommendations for measuring neurodiversity at work.
- Participate in DCA’s Inclusive Employer Index 2025-2026: Organisations can take part to assess, benchmark, and showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This is a great opportunity to be recognised as a leader in fostering inclusive workplaces!
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One of our highlights from 2024 was the Diversity Debate!
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See some of our members’ key takeaways.
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Download audio description (Word - 22 KB)
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The DCA Board extends their gratitude to Lisa Annese
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The DCA Board and team extends our deepest gratitude to Lisa Annese as she concludes her tenure as CEO. Lisa has been an extraordinary leader and a true champion for diversity and inclusion (D&I) in Australian workplaces. Her unwavering commitment to DCA’s mission has left an indelible mark on the organisation, and we celebrate her legacy with immense pride and gratitude.
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Lisa Annese
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Since stepping into the role of CEO in 2014, Lisa’s leadership has been characterised by courage, innovation, and a relentless drive to dismantle systemic barriers and create inclusive spaces for all.
As Lisa departs, the DCA Board is actively progressing the CEO search and looks forward to sharing an update early in the new year. We are confident that the next leader will build on Lisa’s incredible legacy and continue to drive the important work of DCA forward.
Read the DCA Board’s message in full.
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Supporting Carers: DCA welcomes release of National Carer Strategy
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DCA welcomes the government’s renewed commitment to supporting Australia’s three million unpaid carers through the 10-year National Carer Strategy.
We commend its focus on the lived experience of carers through the Carer Advisory Committee and its emphasis on addressing the complex, intersectional challenges many carers face. DCA provided a written submission during the development of this strategy, urging the government to consider:
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- exclusion, discrimination, and harassment faced by carers in paid employment
- economic and social impacts on women carers, linked to advancing women’s equality
- misconceptions about flexible work and the need for better support for carers in employment
- the unique challenges faced by First Nations carers and carers from diverse backgrounds.
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We’re encouraged to see the Strategy’s commitment to supporting all carers, including efforts to promote financial security, overcome employment barriers, and foster inclusive workplaces. DCA looks forward to working with businesses and organisations to assist them to become more inclusive and supportive of the many unpaid carers throughout Australia.
Read the National Carer Strategy.
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Support the campaign to address Australia's skills shortage
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DCA joins almost 100 organisations in an alliance to support the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign. This is an alliance of businesses, unions, social services and community organisations, all working to improve the recognition of skills and qualifications for migrants to Australia. The campaign’s main aim is to ensure a commitment to ‘fixing’ the system we currently have in this country by:
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- establishing a national governance system for all overseas skills assessment and qualifications recognition
- creating a seamless process across migration and employment purposes
- removing unnecessary barriers
- setting up migrant employment pathways with skills recognition navigators.
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If you would like to participate in this campaign, see the resources here. You can also support this campaign by signing the open letter.
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Knowledge Program giveaway winner!
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We're excited to announce that the winner of DCA's Knowledge Program giveaway is member organisation, TransLink!
TransLink won the Knowledge Program through completing the post-event survey for our latest event, Rising backlash and resistance to gender equality (members can watch the event recording here).
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Year-end office hours and invoicing
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The DCA office will be closed from 5:00 pm (AEDT) Friday, 20 December to 9:00 am (AEDT) on Monday, 6 January. Please pay all outstanding invoices by Friday, 20 December to close off the year.
Please also note that bookings for DCA's education programs for 2024 have now closed. Send our team an enquiry to begin planning for your 2025 training needs.
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Leadership scholarships for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women
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Exciting scholarship opportunities are now open for women who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander to join the Empower: Women in Leadership Program in 2025. Running from March to October through hipages Group, this transformational program offers personal and professional development, career coaching, Gallup strengths assessments, in-person training, and networking. Nominate or apply today.
More details available here (PDF - 823KB).
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A warm welcome to the following organisations who recently became members of Diversity Council Australia!
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Diversity Council Australia is proudly supported by
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Diversity Council Australia Limited
Hub Customs House Level 4, 31 Alfred St
Sydney NSW 2000
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