Age

In this section, you will find resources to help you attract, engage, and retain workers of all ages. Much of the research in Australia and internationally on the impact of age in the workforce focuses on ‘older’ workers. However, while older individuals (however ‘older’ is defined) do experience particular workplace issues as a result of ageing, ‘age’ must be considered across the life course.

DCA Research

D&I 101 - Collecting Diversity Data

D&I 101: Conducting a Diversity Survey - with speech bubble for different diversity dimensions including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islnder Peoples, Carers, Disbility, Age, Multicultural including Religion & Gender/LGBTIQ+

DCA's Guide to Conducting a Diversity Survey - How to ask your employees about their diversity.

In 2020, Do We Still Really Need Workplace Gender Equality?

Symbol of man and women in a circle

It’s been over 100 years since the first IWD and we’ve come a long way in creating gender equality – but we still have a long way to go. In 2020, gender inequalities continue to limit the ability of both men and women to be respected and to contribute at work and at home.

[email protected] Index 2017-2018

Inclusion@Work Index 2017-2018 The State of Inclusion in the Australian Workforce. Sponsored by Suncorp

The DCA-Suncorp [email protected] Index 2017-2018 is a landmark study, providing the first-ever national benchmarks for Australian workplaces in regards to the age, cultural background, disability status, gender, Indigenous background, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity of workers.

WordsAtWork - Building inclusion through the power of language

Words at Work report image

DCA has developed a new Words At Work campaign for workplaces to show how inclusive language can improve workplace culture and drive productivity.

Older Women Matter

DCA research has found that older women (defined as 45 years plus) represent a sizeable and growing segment of the labour force but Australian organisations are failing to fully harness their skills and talents.

Grey Matters: Engaging Mature Age Workers

This research project reveals baby boomers are challenging traditional notions of retirement.

Other Research

What’s Age Got to Do With It? Towards a New Advocacy on Ageing and Work

This report, released by Per Capita (2017), challenges existing ideas about older workers and ageing, puts forth recommendations about how to consider age and advocate for ‘age’ across the workforce.

Case Studies

CommBank’s AdvantAge

Case Study

CommBank’s age and life stage employee network – called AdvantAge.

News

Ground-breaking research reveals support for inclusion in workplaces is up among one of the most resistant groups

Media releases

DCA's 2019-2020 [email protected] Index shows that support for diversity and inclusion (D&I) is up among men – traditionally the group least likely to strongly support, and one of the groups most likely to oppose such initiatives.

What are the myths (and facts) on ageing and work?

Debunking myths around Ageing and Work. Balloon with words Age Discriminiation and hand holding a pin as if about to pop balloon.
News articles

Prolonging the working life in an inclusive way, and promoting solidarity of different employee life stages, are key issues in the workplace. Here we tackle some misconceptions around age and work.

Is it time for Australia to embrace a Bill of Rights to enshrine equality for all?

Media releases

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG delivers Diversity Council Australia’s third Anna McPhee Memorial Oration on Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Telstra.

Perspectives

Organisations and the Mature Workforce

Blog

Research from the Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing and Research points towards a simple framework that could guide organisations in adapting their strategies to meet the challenges of an ageing and age diverse workforce.

Let’s hear it from the boys

Blog

Addressing attitudes to gender equality from millennial men.

From older workers to generational solidarity. Let’s rethink ageing at work

Blog

Philip Taylor, Professor of Management at Federation University Australia, Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, talks age at work.

Coming events

18 Oct 2023

During Carer's Week, our D&I Insights program will look at the challenges of combining eldercare responsibilities with work, and how organisations can be more supportive of these carers.

Webcasts from past events

07 Mar 2023

As we prepare to celebrate IWD, join us for the launch of our new research exploring the experiences of culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women who are in, or aspiring to, senior leadership in Australia.

09 Feb 2023

At this event we share with members how Smartgroup Corporation pivoted from an outdated tenure-based parental leave policy, to a nation-leading program that was both generous and inclusive – and would become a major draw card to attract new talent as well as retain team members of all family types and genders.