DCA data reveals ‘class ceiling’ in Australian workplaces

New research from Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has spotlighted a powerful but hidden barrier holding Australians back at work: their social class.

Early findings from DCA’s highly anticipated Class Inclusion at Work report (to be released in October) have revealed a persistent ‘class ceiling’ limiting career opportunities for workers who are marginalised by their social class (class marginalised). The data shows:

• only 44% of class marginalised workers have been offered career development opportunities in the past year, compared to 76% who are privileged by their social class (class privileged). This is supported by the fact that only 4% of leaders surveyed reported being class marginalised, while 40% reported class privilege
• despite this, just 24% of leaders recognise that social class makes a difference in Australia, compared with 33% of other workers
• this is particularly troubling given less than 1 in 4 (22%) of class marginalised workers feel valued and respected in their team, compared to 41% of class privileged workers.

However, the data also showed that workplace inclusion makes a big difference – class marginalised employees who work in inclusive organisations are more than twice as likely to have participated in career development opportunities.

Panel discussion to tackle social class at work

Following DCA’s 2025 Anna McPhee Oration, where the Governor-General of Australia will reflect on her first year in office, a panel of leading experts will set the scene for DCA’s upcoming Class Inclusion at Work report.

Panel speakers include:

• Travis Lovett (he/him) – Former Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission
• Gwladys Ngo Tedga (she/her) – Partner, Risk Advisory, Ashurst
• Doug Taylor (he/him) – Chief Executive Officer, The Smith Family
• Farhana Laffernis (she/her) – Research Manager, DCA.

“Five years on from DCA’s groundbreaking 2020 Class at Work report, these new findings prove that social class remains one of the most powerful, yet least acknowledged, barriers to inclusion at work,” Catherine Hunter, CEO of DCA said.

“This discussion will set the stage for an important conversation on why class matters at work, and why we must begin dismantling the systemic barriers that continue to hold people back.”

Join us for this significant event to celebrate diversity and inclusion at work. Find out more and register here.

Event details

When: Friday 22 August 2025, 11:30am – 2:30pm (AEST)
Where: Zinc at Fed Square, Melbourne
What’s included: Networking, canapés, two-course lunch, keynote speech by Her Excellency, and a panel discussion with expert speakers.

Panel speaker bios

Travis Lovett (he/him)
Former Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission

Travis Lovett is a senior Aboriginal leader, advocate, and truth-teller dedicated to justice Treaty and cultural resurgence. With expertise spanning community engagement consulting and public speaking, he works to amplify first peoples voices, drive systemic change, and build a future grounded in truth and unity.

Gwladys Ngo Tedga (she/her)
Partner, Risk Advisory, Ashurst

Gwladys is a partner at Ashurst in its Consulting Division, where she leads risk modernisation. She regularly advises clients on risk uplifts and remediation in complex regulatory investigations. She is the founder of the APAC chapter of the Ashurst Social Inclusion and Mobility Network.

Doug Taylor (he/him)
Chief Executive Officer, The Smith Family

Doug Taylor was appointed CEO of The Smith Family in August 2021. He has built a 30-year career in the social sector with national and international experience in leading innovative social impact initiatives in partnership with the not-for-profit, government, philanthropic and corporate sectors.

Farhana Laffernis (she/her)
Research Manager, DCA

Farhana Laffernis is a Research Manager at Diversity Council Australia and co-lead of the upcoming Class Inclusion at Work report. A former diversity practitioner turned researcher, Farhana’s work has focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion in universities and workplaces. Farhana is also a Churchill Fellow, and a current PhD candidate in the UTS Business School. She is passionate about translating research into practice and ensuring this is accessible and impactful for workplaces.

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