Inclusion and diversity

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is an inclusive employer that welcomes job applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people, women and those with caring responsibilities.

Our contribution

DCJ is committed to achieving the Premier's Diversity Priorities by 2025, including:

Increasing the percentage of people with disability across the sector to 5.6%
Increasing the number of Aboriginal senior leaders across the sector
Achieving 50% representation across the sector for women in senior leadership.

How we’re building a diverse workforce

DCJ is working to increase the representation of people from diverse backgrounds in the workforce by:

Being a Disability Confident Recruiter (DCR) with the Australian Network on Disability (AND). DCJ has been successful in maintaining DCR status since November 2016. Being a Disability Confident Recruiter means that our recruitment and selection processes are accessible and inclusive for people with disability. DCJ is happy to offer adjustments in the recruitment and selection process to people with disability.
Achieved Level 2 Carers Accreditation through the Carers NSW Carers + Employers Program. Accreditation was achieved following a comprehensive review of DCJ’s policies and practices which showed that DCJ met requirements as a carer-friendly workplace
DCJ is a gold member of the Australian Network on Disability, so we ensure that our workplace is inclusive for people with disability.
Active member of Pride in Diversity who provide advice on LGBTIQ+ inclusion
Promoting flexible work practices, in line with the NSW Public Service Commission (PSC) approach to ensure NSW Government employees have access to flexible work arrangements including people with disability and women.
We are committed to providing recruitment adjustments for our candidates with disability to remove barriers and provide equal access to job opportunities, and career development and learning opportunities.

Building inclusion for employees

Employees at DCJ have access to a number of employee networks. These networks provide peer support and useful information to their members as well as contribute to organisational decision-making such as policy development. DCJ Employee Networks include:

DCJ Disability Employee Network
DCJ Pride Network (LGBTIQ+)
DCJ Women’s Network
DCJ Aboriginal Reference Group and Staff Networks
DCJ Multicultural Network
DCJ Young Professionals Network.

Along with the support of networks, DCJ provides employees with:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports all employees, with dedicated helplines including: LGBTIQ+ Helpline, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Helpline and Disability and Carers Helpline
Programs such as our Women in Senior Leadership mentoring program, with a focus on professional development
Workplace Adjustment support throughout employment so that people with disability are provided with the workplace adjustments they need to fully participate in the workplace.

Employment Programs

DCJ offers a number of employment programs for people from diverse backgrounds, including:

Aboriginal Traineeship Program – 12-months full-time employment while completing a Cert III or Cert IV qualification. Upon successful completion of the program, our trainees are then converted to ongoing employment. The program is offered annually. For opportunities to apply for the program email inclusionanddiversity@facs.nsw.gov.au.
Aboriginal Internship Program – this program is aimed at university students who complete a 12-week paid work placement each year of their degree. On successful completion of their degree and work placements our interns are offered ongoing employment. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students need to be registered with CareerTrackers. to be considered for the internship program.
DCJ Yuranha Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs (YAE&TP) is an award-winning pre-employment program delivered by DCJ and TAFE NSW to prepare and educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with interview and employment skills for roles within the Department of Communities and Justice. Visit Yuranha for more information.
Stepping Into Internship Program – university students with disability complete a paid work placement of 152 hours. People with disability currently studying at university need to be registered with the Australian Network on Disability to be considered for the internship program.