Improving APS cultural diversity and inclusion
Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU - PSU Group)
CPSU represents thousands of members across the country working predominantly in the public sector.
Australia is becoming more culturally diverse, with estimates that more than two in five Australians are from culturally diverse backgrounds.
The CPSU is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms, including cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) in our membership, delegate and representative structures.
The union’s commitment to measuring and reporting CALD representation and improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace has led to the collation of insights and lived experiences of nearly 200 CALD Network members from 38 APS agencies via an online survey.
These results have been shared with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) taskforce for the development of the APS CALD Employment Strategy and are available for public review here: https://cpsu.informz.net/cpsu/data/images/CALD%20survey%20report%20v3.00.pdf
CPSU asked members whether they perceived barriers in the APS based on their CALD status, the nature of any existing barriers, actions to address barriers and any experiences of discrimination or racism in the workplace.
The CPSU and APSC will meet again in coming weeks to discuss potential actions that agencies can implement to address the identified barriers faced by APS workers across both professional life and development.
Members' feedback to the survey and recent webinars have made an invaluable contribution to the discussions with the APSC, with flow-on effects predicted to be seen in key focus areas like accessibility in the upcoming Multicultural Framework Review (the Review).
The Review is an Australian Government initiative looking at ways for the government and the community to work together to support a cohesive multicultural society and advance a vibrant and prosperous future for all Australians.
Significantly, the Review Panel will consider ‘the effectiveness of current federal diversity, equity and inclusion strategies including for the promotion of people from CALD backgrounds into leadership roles’. This is a golden opportunity for the government to improve representation and employment outcomes for CALD employees across the APS.
CPSU will work with the CALD Network to provide a submission to the Review. If you would like to participate in a focus group discussion in relation to Review issues and/or assist with gathering feedback please email [email protected].