Inspirational events to take your D&I work to the next level
DCA’s purpose is to enable more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces for a better Australia, and our events are a key element to achieving this.
Our regular events inform, inspire and bring our groundbreaking research to life by:
- covering a wide range of D&I dimensions to help build you and your organisation’s D&I capability
- featuring knowledgeable speakers who are subject matter experts and/or who have lived experience
- showcasing DCA members doing good D&I work, as well as sharing their knowledge, learnings and challenges.
Free access to almost all DCA events is a highlight of DCA membership. If your organisation is not a member, contact us to find out how you can join.
Are events free?
DCA’s events are a benefit of membership and almost all are free for members.
DCA also hosts two major D&I events that are ticketed: the DCA Diversity Debate and the Anna McPhee Memorial Oration on D&I. These events alternate every year and include canapes, networking and a sit-down two-course meal. Members can purchase discounted tickets or a table to entertain clients or staff to celebrate their hard work in the D&I space. Non-members can also purchase tickets or tables.
Non-members can access a selection of our other insightful, thought-leading events for a fee. For access to all DCA events, speak to us about membership.
Who can attend?
Our events are open to all member organisations and their employees.
You can check if your employer is a member and if you are, you can log in to register for an event or create an account if you are yet to do so, and then register. Remember to use your work email address.
Our events are designed for leaders, HR or D&I practitioners, line managers and employees at every level.
DCA Major Events
DCA stages one major corporate D&I event (alternating between Sydney and Melbourne) each year, where members are encouraged to join together as a community to celebrate the great D&I work being done across Australia. Each event offers opportunities for our members to partner with DCA as a sponsor with a number of benefits included.
The DCA and IAG Diversity Debate
DCA was excited to host hundreds of D&I practitioners and enthusiasts at this year’s Diversity Debate! The debate was celebrated at Doltone House in Sydney on 22 October and explored the question: Is polarisation holding diversity and inclusion back? It was an evening of dinner, networking and entertainment with lively discussions and laughter. We thank our major sponsor IAG, supporting sponsor Suncorp and associate sponsor Telstra, the fantastic speakers and moderator, and all of you for making the debate a success!
The Anna McPhee Memorial Oration in 2025
This corporate lunch in Melbourne honours the late Anna McPhee, DCA’s former Chair and lifetime advocate for diversity and equal opportunity.
The Oration features a high profile and passionate speaker on an important D&I topic. Read more about the Oration and they key sponsorship opportunities available.
DCA Event Series
DCA events are delivered in a variety of formats including via webinar, in-person or hybrid, and are recorded for viewing on-demand at a time that suits you. See the categories of regular events DCA offers below.
First Nations Insights Program
This program profiles leading practice in attraction, retention and promotion of First Nations talent, promotes understanding of First Nations cultures, and builds organisational capability.
D&I Insights Program
This program explores the latest D&I topics and features a range of speakers including D&I practitioners and people sharing their lived experience, knowledge and expertise.
Gender Equality Network
This network features quarterly events on a range of topics focusing on strategies, challenges and opportunities on the journey towards gender equality in the workplace.
Case Study Conversations
A lunch-and-learn style online event, this series takes a deep dive into what DCA members are achieving on D&I. See real examples from real organisations and ask your questions in the live Q&A.
Member Key Contact Forums
Key contacts from DCA members meet in a small group setting to discuss challenges and strategies, exchange ideas and harness knowledge and learnings from a community of D&I practitioners.
Next year’s forum dates will be announced in the new year.
CEO Roundtables
This event provides an exclusive group of member organisation CEOs and MDs the opportunity to discuss D&I challenges, successes and areas of interest, in a supportive environment.
Next year’s roundtable dates will be announced in the new year.
Panellist opportunities
DCA is committed to ensuring that our extensive calendar of events includes speakers with a diversity of lived experiences, as well as subject matter expertise. If you have subject matter expertise in D&I, and/or a diverse perspective or lived experience you would like to share and are interested in being part of a future DCA event, please send us an email to events@dca.org.au and let us know about you, your experience, and your interest. DCA will get in touch if we see a suitable opportunity.
Accessibility, Terms and Conditions and Code of Behaviour
The steps that DCA takes to ensure our events are inclusive and accessible include:
- ensuring all in-person event venues are fully accessible (including bathrooms and amenities, wellness spaces, entrance foyers and event spaces)
- providing live captions during events
- providing Auslan interpreters when requested by attendees
- providing event recordings, transcripts and resources after the event
- ensuring event collateral (including marketing and presentation materials) are accessible
If you have any questions or feedback related to the accessiblity of DCA events, please contact events@dca.org.au.
Where there is a fee for attending an event, your attendance will only be confirmed on the payment of that fee.
Any notice of cancellation received by DCA more than two weeks prior to the date of an event will receive a full reimbursement. Any cancellations received by DCA between two weeks and three days prior to the event will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds will be made for any cancellations received by DCA less than three days prior to an event.
Substitute DCA Members are welcome to attend DCA Member only events where the original participant is no longer able to attend. Substitute DCA Members and non-DCA Members are welcome to attend non-DCA Member only events where the original participant is no longer able to attend. Where DCA is notified of the attendance of a substitute participant no cancellation fees apply.
All notifications of cancellations or requests for substitutions must be made to DCA.
DCA very much values member participation and contributions at all our events. We respectfully ask that attendees adhere to the following code of behaviour when engaging in our in-person or online events:
Please treat all speakers and attendees with respect at all times, and consider your impact on others when making a contribution
Please keep your spoken or written comments or questions relevant to the topic
We will not accept offensive, abusive or threatening comments, including those that:
- are racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, religiously intolerant or that are other forms of hate-speech, or contributions that could be interpreted as such
- could reasonably be perceived to be defamatory, obscene, pornographic, vulgar, profane, indecent or otherwise unlawful content
- involve racial or religious vilification, inciting violence or hatred
- are likely to offend, insult or humiliate others based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation or any physical or non-apparent disability or mental health condition.
We will remove any written content in online events that does not meet this code.
Breaching the code could also result in participants being removed from an event.
Contact us
For any questions you may have, please contact events@dca.org.au and our team will be happy to assist you.
