Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
A workplace where everyone belongs
We’re committed to creating a positive, respectful and inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of our Queensland community.
Our approach is guided by the Queensland Government’s Even Better Public Sector Strategy 2024-2028, our Equity and Diversity Plan and our Reframing the Relationship Plan . We’re embedding fairness, accessibility, cultural safety and respect into everything we do so our people feel proud to bring their whole selves to work.
How we put our commitment into action
Promoting inclusivity through Identified and Designated positions
Some roles require specific cultural knowledge or lived experience. These are advertised as:
- Identified roles: for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Designated roles: for people living with disability.
If you apply for one of these roles, we’ll guide you through the evidence requirements. These may include a written assertion in your application or, other documentary evidence (e.g., Evidence of Attribute - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified Roles Guideline or Diverse Ability Declaration ).
Details about these requirements are always included in the position description.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) measures
For other roles, we may apply EEO measures to increase representation of under-represented groups, such as:
- Aboriginal peoples or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- People living with disability.
This helps us build a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve.
Priority consideration
Most roles we advertise offer priority consideration. If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and/or a person living with disability, and you meet the minimum requirements of the role, you will progress to the second stage of the selection process. This may include a work test, phone screen or interview.
This helps level the playing field and remove entry-point barriers for some candidates.
Beyond recruitment: building an inclusive culture
Our commitment doesn’t stop at recruitment. We’re focused on creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.
- Equity and Diversity Plan 2026–2028 : this plan sets the direction for building workplaces where fairness, inclusion, and accessibility are standard practice.
- Safe and respectful workplaces: we’re committed to environments free from harassment and discrimination.
- Memberships that matter: we’re proud members of the Diversity Council Australia and the Australian Disability Network, ensuring we stay connected to best practices.
- Learning from diversity: by embracing different perspectives and lived experiences, we innovate, solve problems more effectively and deliver stronger outcomes for Queenslanders.
- Listening to our people: The Diversity and Inclusion Employee Resource Group (ERG) is organised and led by employees who share a common interest in Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) within the department and more broadly. The ERG provides employees with an opportunity to work together and be actively involved in key workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives as outlined in the department’s Equity and Diversity Plan.
Definitions
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
An Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person is one who:
- identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
- is accepted as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander by the community in which they live.
Disability
A person has disability if they have a limitation, restriction or impairment that:
- has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months.
- restricts everyday activities.
Disabilities may include:
- Physical: mobility, dexterity, stamina/fatigue, or speech challenges.
- Sensory: hearing, vision, or concentration difficulties.
- Intellectual: learning challenges.
- Mental illness: conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
- Neurological: brain or nervous system and/or autonomic nervous system conditions (e.g. stroke, acquired brain injury).
Other disabilities may include long-term conditions requiring treatment or medication that restrict everyday activities.