CoAct recognised as a Diversity Council Australia 2024-2025 Inclusive Employer

MEDIA RELEASE, Monday, 18 November 2024 

CoAct is proud to announce it has been named on Diversity Council Australia (DCA)’s annual list of Inclusive Employers for 2024-2025. This acknowledgement highlights CoAct’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. 

The Inclusive Employer Index is an annual survey developed by DCA in partnership with Diversity Atlas, to measure employee diversity and inclusion experiences in the workplace. Participating in the Index has enabled CoAct to evaluate its current state of inclusion, benchmarked against both the Australian Workforce and DCA members. This data reinforces CoAct’s dedication and achievements and identify ways to do even better. It also demonstrates CoAct’s commitment to ensuring its workforce reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. 

CoAct’s CEO, Simon Brown, said CoAct is deeply honoured to be recognised by Diversity Council Australia as a 2024-2025 Inclusive Employer. 

“As a purpose-driven network, we are incredibly proud to be recognised by the Diversity Council of Australia as an Inclusive Employer for 2024-2025. This recognition aligns with our mission to support people from all backgrounds into sustainable, meaningful employment. It also underscores our commitment to fostering an inclusive culture where all voices are valued. Our latest results reflect this commitment, with our inclusion rates in all areas well above national benchmarks. At CoAct, we believe that inclusivity strengthens our teams, enriches our workplace, and ultimately enhances our impact in communities across Australia.” 

Key highlights of CoAct’s performance include an overall result where 76% of its teams are classified as fully inclusive, compared to the national workforce average of 46%.  70% of CoAct managers are seen as inclusive – significantly surpassing the national workforce average of 31% for inclusive managers. These outstanding results affirm CoAct’s dedication to building an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of its customers and community, enabling impactful, customer-centric service at every level of the organisation. 

DCA CEO Lisa Annese congratulated CoAct and other recognised organisations for their commitment to creating truly inclusive workplaces where employees in all their diversity can thrive.  

“DCA’s Inclusive Employer Index is an opportunity to celebrate the companies that are driving real change and inspiring others to follow their lead.” 

“It’s an evidence-based process that reveals the state of inclusion and diversity across participating organisations. Recognition as an Inclusive Employer means your organisation is doing the necessary work to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.” 

DCA announced its 2024-2025 Inclusive Employers list today to mark the beginning of Inclusion at Work Week. Running from 18 to 22 November, Inclusion at Work Week is an annual celebration led by DCA to recognise the efforts of Australian organisations working to foster inclusion within their workplace. foster inclusion within their workplace. 

Workplace inclusion is not just about creating a positive work environment – it drives tangible business outcomes. DCA’s most recent Inclusion@Work Index shows workplace inclusion significantly increases performance, wellbeing and innovation. Plus, workers in inclusive teams are:  

• three times less likely to leave their organisation 

• more than twice as likely to work extra hard 

• 10 times more likely to be innovative 

• four times more likely to provide excellent customer service. 

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of CoAct’s values and success. The organisation recognises that a diverse workforce encourages creativity, drives innovation, and strengthens its ability to make a meaningful impact. 

CoAct has recently redesigned its onboarding process to reflect its dedication to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. As part of this, the organisation launched a new training series, Creating Value: Understanding Diversity and Inclusion. This program is tailored for employees and leaders, with Inclusion Coaches providing guidance and support throughout the initiative. 

CoAct is always looking for ways to make its workplace more inclusive. Recent updates to the recruitment process include changes to job ads, applications, and interview practices to ensure accessibility for people with diverse needs. The organisation has also introduced initiatives to foster belonging and support employees, such as: 

• simplified access to workplace adjustments and support 

• flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home options 

• recurring annual funds for preventative health and wellbeing equipment and services 

• wellbeing leave, offered in addition to statutory leave entitlements. 

These initiatives are helping CoAct create a workplace where everyone can thrive. The positive feedback received through employee surveys highlights the benefits of embracing diverse perspectives and reinforces the importance of CoAct’s commitment to inclusion. 

For more information about CoAct and its commitment to inclusion, visit: https://coact.org.au/  

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About CoAct  

CoAct is Australia’s leading network of not-for-profit community service providers, helping people reach their full potential through sustained, meaningful employment.    

For over 25 years, CoAct has enabled its network of service partners to amplify their social impact. CoAct service partners are empowered to deliver employment services directly within their local communities, leveraging their local knowledge and connections.   

As the engine room, CoAct provides its partners comprehensive support, including contract procurement, co-designed service delivery models, robust quality frameworks, and cutting-edge technologies tailored to their needs.  

Collaboration is at CoAct’s heart, and they believe that by harnessing the power of many, we can activate communities. 

About DCA 

Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is the independent, not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace. DCA provides research, events, resources, and expert advice across diversity dimensions to a network of over 1,300 organisations, representing nearly 20% of the workforce. DCA’s annual Inclusion@Work Index highlights the positive impact of inclusive workplaces on employee performance, wellbeing, and innovation. 

(Disability Employment Services Australia (DES) has now been replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA).