Australian workers continue to back inclusion as D&I action reaches record high

New data from Diversity Council Australia (DCA) shows support for diversity and inclusion in Australian workplaces remains strong, with more organisations taking action and fewer workers opposed than in previous years.

The 2025-2026 Inclusion@Work Index, which is the fifth iteration of DCA’s biennial research series mapping inclusion across Australia’s workforce, found:

• Workers across Australia still want action: around three in four workers (76%) support their organisation taking action to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, slightly up and consistent with the 2023-2024 Inclusion@Work Index (74%). This level of support has remained consistently high over time.
• Very few workers oppose action: only 5% of workers say they oppose their organisation taking action on diversity and inclusion, down from 7% last year.
• More workers feel included: More than half (56%) of workers reported working in an inclusive team, compared with 46% in 2024, and 59% said they worked in an inclusive organisation, versus 52% in 2024.
• More organisations are taking action: Nearly two-thirds of workers (62%) said their organisation is taking action on diversity and inclusion, up from 56% in 2024 – the highest level of action recorded since the Index began in 2017.

“The strength of this research series has always been its focus on workers’ voices,” said Catherine Hunter, CEO of Diversity Council Australia.

While commentary about diversity and inclusion comes and goes, workers across Australia are telling us they continue to back action that creates fairer and more inclusive workplaces, and opposition remains low.

“These findings reinforce that employees recognise the benefits of inclusion and Australian organisations are continuing to invest in building fairer, safer and more inclusive environments.”

Action matters: rise in inclusion coincides with drop in discrimination and everyday exclusion

The increase in inclusion and action occurred alongside an encouraging decline in discrimination, harassment and everyday exclusion at work, suggesting that inclusion efforts are making a difference to workers’ day-to-day experiences:

• Discrimination and harassment have declined but remain widespread: Nearly one in four workers (24%) reported experiencing discrimination or harassment in 2025, down from 30% in 2024. While this drop is encouraging, the prevalence highlights the need for sustained action.
• Everyday exclusion is also falling: Fewer workers reported being ignored, having assumptions made about their ability, or being left out of workplace social activities.

However, marginalised workers continue to experience disproportionately high levels of discrimination, harassment and everyday exclusion at work, indicating the need for a targeted, data-led approach to workplace inclusion.

“Although this Index recorded the highest levels of action we’ve seen, nearly one in five (18%) workers still say their organisation isn’t taking action,” said Catherine.

“We know many Australian workplaces are doing important work to foster inclusion, but these findings tell us there is still a great deal of work to be done. Workplaces that take targeted, evidence-led action see better outcomes, including improved wellbeing, stronger performance and productivity, and importantly, significantly lower levels of discrimination and harassment.

“As organisations navigate an increasingly complex world, inclusion cannot be viewed as optional. When people feel safe, respected and included, they do their best work. That doesn’t only benefit organisations, it contributes to a fairer, more unified society.”

To find out more, visit DCA’s website.

[ENDS]