City of Newcastle receives national recognition for leadership in equitable workplaces

City of Newcastle is one of only two councils in Australia to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer by the peak national body for diversity in the workplace.

It is the second time City of Newcastle has been included on Diversity Council Australia’s annual Inclusive Employer Index, joining more than 80 organisations nationwide that have been recognised for best-practice inclusion.

Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said City of Newcastle is committed to embedding inclusion across its workforce and culture.

“This recognition is meaningful because it is based on feedback from our people,” Mr Bath said.

“Being one of only two local councils in Australia to receive Inclusive Employer status highlights the strength of our approach to building a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to thrive.

“Achieving this for the second time reinforces our commitment to embedding inclusion in everyday practice.”

To be included on the list, organisations must exceed the National Index Benchmark in at least five out of the six following areas: awareness, engagement, inclusive organisational climate, inclusive leadership, inclusive team, and exclusion. The evidence-based assessment uses staff survey data and independent analysis.

Mr Bath said the recognition reflects City of Newcastle’s ongoing delivery of its Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Strategy, which was launched in 2023 around the pillars of inclusive culture, inclusive leadership, and a diverse, representative workforce.

The strategy targets five priority areas: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, accessibility, culturally and linguistically diverse inclusion, gender equity, and LGBTIQ+ inclusion.

Key initiatives of the approach include inclusive leadership programs, tailored staff learning, diverse working groups, workplace adjustments, inclusive recruitment practices, accessibility support, and ongoing awareness campaigns.

Chair of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Cr Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk, said the recognition is testament to City of Newcastle’s leadership within the local government sector. 

“This acknowledgement recognises what can be achieved when inclusion, equity, and accessibility is embedded into both organisational strategy as well as everyday practice,” Cr Adamczyk said. 

“The work delivered under the City of Newcastle’s IDE Strategy takes an intersectional approach in recognising and supporting the diverse lived experiences and perspectives of each person in the workforce. 

“This recognition is a demonstration of City of Newcastle’s dedication to fostering a strong culture of inclusion and wellbeing for its employees, and in the community more broadly.”