Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has marked Inclusion at Work Week 2026 with the announcement of its 2026-2027 Inclusive Employers, recognising organisations across the country for their commitment to building more inclusive workplaces for a better Australia.
Run with Cultural Infusion, the Inclusive Employer Index is a unique tool that enables organisations to measure, benchmark and strengthen their workplace inclusion efforts. It captures a wide range of inclusion indicators, including leadership commitment and employee experiences of inclusion and exclusion across 10 diversity dimensions.
Organisations that meet the program requirements and exceed national benchmarks earn recognition on DCA’s yearly list of Inclusive Employers – a nationally recognised benchmark for inclusive workplace practice.
This year, the Index included new data on neurodiversity, giving participants the opportunity to understand and remove the barriers neurodivergent employees face at work. This marked the first standardised collection of neurodiversity inclusion data across Australian organisations.
DCA’s CEO, Catherine Fitzpatrick congratulated this year’s Inclusive Employers.
“This recognition demonstrates a genuine commitment to understanding employees’ experiences and taking meaningful action to create workplaces where everyone feels respected, valued and able to contribute,” Catherine said.
“The Index helps organisations identify risks and target action. Our data shows DCA members are more inclusive, more likely to value having a diverse team and their employees are significantly less likely to face discrimination or harassment.
“At a time when many Australians are concerned about division and social cohesion, workplaces have an important role to play in fostering connection, belonging and respect across difference.
“The organisations recognised today are showing their commitment not only to employee safety and wellbeing, but to building resilient, innovative workplaces that are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the future.”
See the full list of 2026-2027 Inclusive Employers.
New resources released for Inclusion at Work Week 2026
The announcement coincides with the start of DCA’s Inclusion at Work Week (16–20 November 2026), an annual celebration of the progress Australian organisations are making to foster inclusive workplaces.
This year, DCA will release two new resources during the week to help employers embed inclusive practices that enable everyone to thrive at work:
- Inclusion Across the Employee Lifecycle Toolkit: this new resource will provide organisations with guidance on how to make significant employee lifecycle points inclusive, featuring six key levers for ensuring employees feel valued, respected, connected and able to progress – from when they first find out about a job vacancy, to when they leave. Access the toolkit from Tuesday 17 November via DCA’s website.
- Creating Inclusive Multifaith Workplaces: recognising that employers are experiencing complexities supporting faith diversity and inclusion at work, DCA will release an updated version of its guidelines for strengthening inclusion and respect across multifaith workplaces. Access the updated guide from Thursday 19 November via DCA’s website.
Throughout Inclusion at Work Week, DCA is hosting a packed lineup of events and practical learning opportunities to help organisations celebrate, including a series of Open Knowledge Programs covering D&I fundamentals, unconscious bias, cultural intelligence, and preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment. The week will also see the release of DCA’s highly anticipated 2027 D&I Days and Dates Calendar.
Workplaces across Australia are invited to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #InclusionAtWorkWeek to showcase their achievements, highlight inclusion champions and inspire others to act.
Find out more ways to get involved by visiting DCA’s website.
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About DCA
Diversity Council Australia is the leading peak body for diversity and inclusion. As an independent not-for-profit and charitable organisation, we provide expert guidance to workplaces, policymakers and the broader community through research, tools, events, advocacy and education. Together, with our network of around 1,200 member organisations, we shape more equitable workplaces for a stronger economy and fairer society.
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