As an independent, not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Diversity Council Australia’s advocacy and policy activities aim to promote and advance inclusion and diversity at work and beyond the workplace.
We do this by writing submissions to government and decision-making bodies, providing testimony at public inquiries and hearings, meeting with government and key decision-makers, and participating in consultation processes such as roundtables, committees and working groups.
In all of our work, we focus on how employer and government policy can enable inclusive and equitable workforce participation.
Submissions
DCA develops written submissions in response to government policies and inquiries, and law reform that relates to inclusion and diversity in the workplace. DCA may also provide submissions and/or feedback to other bodies such as peak bodies representing employment sectors or bodies with authority to influence diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
In our submissions, we focus on likely impacts that reforms or changes will have on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Search for a submission
Topics
Workplace Gender Equality Amendment
Read DCA’s submission in response to the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Setting Gender Equality Targets) Bill 2024s.
Release of National Carer Strategy
DCA welcomes the government’s renewed commitment to Australia’s three million unpaid carers in its new ten-year National Carer Strategy.
Australian Disability Strategy Review
Read DCA’s submission to the review of Australia’s Disability Strategy highlighting the importance of the workplace as a key site for inclusion.
Policy briefings
DCA provides policy briefings on topical issues that impact diversity and inclusion in Australian workplaces. In our briefings, we provide evidence-based advice to key government representatives, using data from DCA led research and other relevant studies on diversity and inclusion issues.
Intersectionality at work
DCA developed a policy briefing for the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women. We called for an intersectional approach to be applied to all gender equality policy matters and increased support – especially funding – for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to collect intersectional data.
Racism at work
In partnership with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the University of Technology Business School/Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, DCA developed a policy briefing for the Race Discrimination Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
This briefing called for a government Inquiry into racism in the workplace to be conducted in a similar way to the Respect@Work Inquiry. We also called for a review of the Racial Discrimination Act, including the insertion of a contemporary definition of racism and anti-racism, and we sought funding to support extensive consultation as part of this process.
Policy positions
DCA is committed to developing thoughtful policy positions on key diversity and inclusion issues. These positions will be grounded in research evidence and shaped by the lived experiences of individuals directly impacted. Stay tuned for updates.