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We are delighted to launch Inclusion at Work Week (IAWW) 2025 today by announcing DCA’s Inclusive Employers for 2025-2026!

“It’s inspiring to see so many organisations taking meaningful action to create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Being an inclusive employer isn’t about meeting targets or ticking boxes, it’s about listening to your people, understanding their experiences, and building systems and cultures that enable everyone to contribute their best."

- Catherine Hunter (she/her),
CEO, Diversity Council Australia

This year, 81 organisations across a range of industries have shown their commitment to building diverse and inclusive workplaces where employees feel respected, connected, and able to contribute their best.

These organisations have met rigorous standards across measures of inclusion, awareness, and action – benchmarked against leading practice and the national average. This makes the Inclusive Employer Index the only diversity and inclusion (D&I) recognition of its kind in Australia grounded in employee experience.

Not yet a DCA member organisation? Discover the benefits of membership!

Welcome to the first day of Inclusion at Work Week! This week will be filled with announcements, events, and activities for both DCA Members and non-members. Join the digital campaign with #InclusionAtWorkWeek.

2025–2026 Inclusive Employers announced – today we’ve announced our list of organisations leading inclusion across Australia. 

Special release – today we’re also excited to release The Case for Inclusion@Work 2025-2026, which is now available to download. Based on findings from the upcoming Inclusion@Work Index (full report to be published early 2026), it shares the latest evidence on how inclusive workplaces benefit both employees and business outcomes.

D&I Insights Event – Build connection and reduce workplace loneliness — today at 2 PM AEDT. While registration has closed, DCA Members can access the recording soon.

Open Knowledge Programs
This week, individuals from DCA member organisations can register for select programs normally reserved for group bookings. Although our Inclusive Leadership program on Thursday and D&I Fundamentals on Tuesday are both sold out, a few spaces still remain in Preventing Gendered Violence at Work on Wednesday, 19 November.

New Member Resource: A new Linguistic Inclusion at Work guide launches Wednesday 19 November. This guide helps managers and supervisors recognise and reduce linguistic bias. IAWW participants will receive an email when it’s available and we’ll be sharing this via our social media channels, so be sure to follow DCA social channels for updates (links in footer). 

Wrap-up and release ‘D&I Days and Dates 2026’: On Friday 21 November we launch DCA’s much anticipated 2026 D&I Days & Dates Calendar - and we’ll announce the Knowledge Program Giveaway winner!

There is still time to sign up and take part in this year’s activities.

Join Michelle Buddhipala (she/her), Member Engagement Manager at DCA, on the final day of IAWW, 21 November at 2:00 PM AEDT, for a live online event taking you inside the world of DCA membership. This exclusive event is limited to 30 participants and will showcase the tools, research, community, and resources that can strengthen your organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

This week we shine a light on DCA Inclusive Employer IP Australia – the Australian government authority for administering intellectual property rights.

“Our purpose at IP Australia is to enable Australians to benefit from great ideas by providing a world-leading IP system. We can’t deliver on this without the innovation and diversity of thought, experience and skills that come from embracing diversity and ensuring we are truly inclusive.”

-  Michael Schwager (he/him), IP Australia Director General and Inclusion Champion 

Intersectionality has been at the core of their D&I work and their data-driven approach. The success of their Inclusion Matrix has been instrumental in identifying and removing barriers in order to enhance inclusion, wellbeing, and belonging in their workforce. These efforts have led to a boost in productivity and cohesion, while promoting psychological safety.

Following the release of our groundbreaking ‘Class Inclusion at Work’ research last month, we continue the discussion on the importance of class inclusion in the workplace on ABC Radio’s The Conversation (at 30:00 mark). DCA CEO, Catherine Hunter, shared highlights in the recording) from the research including practical steps leaders can take to help build class inclusion at work.

We currently have three positions open for passionate and strategic Member Engagement Managers to join our team:

These roles will drive member engagement within an assigned geographic region, achieving growth targets, reducing churn, and building stronger connections with our member organisations.

Visitors to our website recently may have noticed a new icon at the bottom left of the screen. This is the UserWay Accessibilty Widget which is now available across our website.

This widget supports Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and 2.2 compliance, helps boost performance and allows website visitors to adjust the design and user interface of the website to meet specific accessibility needs.

Learn more about accessibility on the DCA website in our accessibility statement and please contact us with any questions or if you need further support.

DCA welcomes the Victorian Government’s decision to introduce new working from home legislation, giving Victorians who can reasonably do their job from home the right to do so for at least two days a week. DCA has long been an advocate for providing workers with the flexibility they need to manage work and other commitments, whether it be flexibility in where, when and how they do their job.

Access and download DCA’s submissions, policy briefings, and policy positions on the Advocacy & Policy page of our website.

A warm welcome to the following organisations who recently became members of Diversity Council Australia!

Northern Trust

1300apprentice

Lord Somers Camp and Power House

PLS

ORIX

Not yet a DCA member organisation? Discover the benefits of membership!

Date: Monday 24 November 2025
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM AEDT

In-person (Melbourne) | Online
Date: Monday 8 December 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM AEDT

The LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy survey is officially open to all members of the public to share feedback on how the NSW government can better support inclusion, safety and equality for LGBTIQA+ communities. Expressions of Interest (EOI) are also open to all LGBTIQA+ people to nominate to participate in roundtables and share their lived experience.

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has launched a new suite of factsheets that break down five of the most persistent myths and misconceptions about racism. These resources consist of individual factsheets that unpack each of these five myths and misconceptions and expand on the Myths & Misconceptions self-reflection and education guide that the AHRC published last year. Visit the AHRC's Resources: Myths and misconceptions about racism webpage to find out more.

Future Shapers, Disability Leadership Institute’s flagship year-long program, is a mainstream vertical leadership development program built by and for high potential disability leaders. Enrolments for the 2026 program are now open until 30 November 2025. The program commences in February next year.

As part of Champions of Change Coalition’s Securing your future leader: Building diverse and inclusive CEO pipelines, some of Australia’s top CEOs — including a number from DCA member organisations — share their personal journeys, the barriers they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned about building inclusive leadership. These case studies, written reflections, and video interviews, are a time capsule of lived experience and a practical guide for the next generation of leaders.

Inclusion at Work Week
Monday 17 to Friday 21 November

Transgender Day of Remembrance
Thursday 20 November

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign)
Tuesday 25 November

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Wednesday 3 December

Human Rights Day
Wednesday 10 December

International Migrants Day
Thursday 18 December

See DCA's complete D&I Day Calendar.

Diversity Council Australia is proudly supported by

Diversity Council Australia Limited
Hub Customs House Level 4, 31 Alfred St
Sydney NSW 2000

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