Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is the independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We provide unique research, inspiring events and programs, curated resources and expert advice across all diversity dimensions to a community of member organisations
Our belief, vision and mission:
- Our belief is that diversity and inclusion is good for people and business.
- Our vision is to create a more diverse and inclusive Australia.
- Our mission is to encourage and enable Australian organisations to create diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Our values:
- Inclusion
- Collaboration
- Agility/flexibility
- Courage
- Integrity
DCA is a not-for-profit organisation and charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Our charitable purpose is to promote and advance inclusion and diversity through the creation of more diverse and inclusive workplaces for the benefit of individuals, organisations and the broader community, with a focus on individuals that have been historically disadvantaged or underrepresented in the labour market.
DCA has over 1,300 members, many of whom are Australia’s business diversity leaders and biggest employers. Some of our founding members include ANZ Bank, AMP, AXA, BHP, Boral, Coles, IBM Australia, Myer, Orica, Rio Tinto and Westpac. Our member organisations are estimated to employ over two million Australians, representing almost 20% of the workforce.
Apart from one research project on creating pathways to leadership for culturally and racially marginalised women, funded by a grant from the Federal Government, DCA is not government funded. Its income is primarily generated from membership fees, sponsorships and services to business/employers.
DCA, formerly known as the Council for Equal Opportunity in Employment Ltd, was established in 1985 as a joint initiative of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of Australia to demonstrate the business community’s commitment to equal opportunity for women.
Our focus since then has expanded to cover all aspects of diversity in employment, reflecting changes in practice to embrace all areas of the diversity of human resources.
Download a copy of our constitution (PDF – 240 KB) or review a list of DCA’s members.
History of DCA
In July 1984 the Federal Government established a pilot program into affirmative action, involving 28 companies and three tertiary institutions. The program was operated under Senator Susan Ryan (Minister advising the PM on women’s affairs) and was administered by the Office of the Status of Women and was to run for a year. The Business Council of Australia became involved as many of their members participated in the pilot.
Following the pilot, the Business Council was keen to demonstrate the business community’s commitment to self-regulation in the area of equal opportunity for women. In cooperation with the Confederation of Australian Industry – now the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – it announced in September 1985 that it would establish a Council for Equal Employment Opportunity. Then BCA President Bob White said at the time, “The council believes that this dramatic and positive self-regulation initiative, will foster the continuing goodwill of business and secure a genuine commitment by the private sector to affirmative action programs”.
The Council was established to develop and promote programs within industry to provide equal opportunity for women and men. It had the backing of a number of Australia’s largest companies.
It was intended to run for a period of five years, by the end of which it was assumed all companies would already have affirmative actions in place. However, the nature of, and demand for, the Council’s expertise and services expanded and continues today, changing its name to Diversity Council Australia Ltd in 2005.
The DIVERSITY COUNCIL AUSTRALIA logo is a Registered Trade Mark of Diversity Council Australia Limited.