Diversity |
Inclusion |
Belonging |
|
At AFCA, we have a broad view of diversity that includes all the ways all people are different. We extend this definition to go beneath what’s visible to include all the deeper ways we are diverse including values, experiences, identities, perspectives, expertise, knowledge and ideas that make up AFCA. These differences come together to benefit all. |
Inclusion is the achievement of a work culture in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to AFCA’s success. |
Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for employees. Employees that feel as though they belong, feel safe to speak up, supported, inspired, confident and empowered to do their best work and to learn and grow. |
Diversity |
|
At AFCA, we have a broad view of diversity that includes all the ways all people are different. We extend this definition to go beneath what’s visible to include all the deeper ways we are diverse including values, experiences, identities, perspectives, expertise, knowledge and ideas that make up AFCA. These differences come together to benefit all. |
Inclusion |
| Inclusion is the achievement of a work culture in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to AFCA’s success. |
Belonging |
|
Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for employees. Employees that feel as though they belong, feel safe to speak up, supported, inspired, confident and empowered to do their best work and to learn and grow. |
Our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy
We launched our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy and three year action plan in April 2023. Our strategy outlines key activities across four pillars of work:
Inclusive Systems and Process
Leadership Capability
Diverse Thinking Teams
Governance and Accountability
“AFCA plays an important role in the community. A renewed commitment to diversity and inclusion will enable us to deliver better, fairer, more equitable and human-centred experiences for complainants and members.”
David Locke, Chief Ombudsman and CEO
“Our people are at the heart of everything we do at AFCA. I am committed to understanding the work and action required to genuinely achieve diversity at AFCA, where all our people are included, and feel like they belong.”
Dr June Smith, Deputy Chief Ombudsman
This Strategy and Action Plan complements our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, which affirms our commitment to reconciliation with First Nations peoples, our people, and our wider stakeholder network; and our Accessibility Strategy, which ensures we are listening to our diverse stakeholders and taking their expertise and insights into consideration, and continuously improving the accessibility of our service.
Our Employee Resource Groups
AFCA has five Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that act as centres of expertise and support our efforts in following best inclusion and belonging practices, raising awareness, creating change, promoting allyship, and connecting with various diverse communities across AFCA.
ERGs are employee-run and are sponsored by our senior executive. Well-functioning, purposeful ERGs help us ensure we stay inclusive as a workplace and well informed as an ombudsman service.
Our Employee Resource Groups are focused on:
- LGBTQIA+ (Ally Network)
- Disability (Vis-Ability Group)
- Family and carers (Carer's Network)
- Multicultural and multi-faith (MOSAIC)
- Gender equity (The Women's Network)
Gender Pay Gap Employer Statement
AFCA is committed to supporting gender equality in the workplace and providing equal opportunities and outcomes for men and women at work.
Our accreditations
AFCA has been named the best place to work in the Government, Education, Not For Profit and Utilities sector in the 2024 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work rankings.
The Best Places to Work list recognises and ranks the best places to work in Australia and New Zealand, by industry. In 2024, the list included rankings in nine sectors, compiled from over 1,000 nominations.
AFCA is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace. This significant achievement recognises that AFCA has made a commitment to delivering equality, inclusivity and wellbeing outcomes for our employees and their families, by working within a framework and set of National Work and Family Standards developed by UNICEF.
This certification also acknowledges AFCA’s commitment to delivering best practice family workplace policies and practices, and is a key component of its recently launched Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Strategy and Action Plan.
AFCA is recognised as a Bronze Employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI). AWEI is a national standard for LGBTQ+ inclusion awarded by Pride in Diversity under ACON.
This achievement acknowledges AFCA’s work and commitment to delivering genuine inclusion and accessibility for all our people.
AFCA was named one of the top five best places to work in Australia’s financial services sector in the 2023 AFR BOSS best Places to Work ranking.
The Best Places to Work list recognises and ranks the best places to work in Australia and New Zealand, by industry. In 2023 the list included rankings in ten sectors, compiled from over 700 nominations.
AFCA is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace. This significant achievement recognises that AFCA has made a commitment to delivering equality, inclusivity and wellbeing outcomes for our employees and their families, by working within a framework and set of National Work and Family Standards developed by UNICEF.
This certification also acknowledges AFCA’s commitment to delivering best practice family workplace policies and practices, and is a key component of its recently launched Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Strategy and Action Plan.
Our partnerships, memberships and relationships
AFCA has meaningful partnerships and relationships with the following organisations, who provide cutting-edge Australian research, comprehensive resources, learning solutions, accreditation opportunities and practical tools to inform our strategies.
