The ANAO recognises that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to living its values of Respect, Integrity, and Excellence.
Diversity and inclusion are driven by a unique network of trained diversity officers, who foster a positive workplace culture and champion the value of different backgrounds and perspectives.
Staff are supported to help one another feel safe and welcome, receiving regular diversity training.
Strong female representation, at all levels, is important to the ANAO. 58% of their people are women. More than half of their most senior positions are occupied by women.
This high representation is reinforced by the ANAO’s provision of flexible work options for everyone. There is a strong culture of supporting flexible work, with 90% of the ANAO’s people reporting having a supervisor that actively supports flexible options (APS Census 2019).
The ANAO aspires to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their internal cultural diversity initiatives include a commitment to inclusive hiring, as well as a comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan (that they have recently completed). They also work with the broader community in projects through the Jawun Secondment Program.
The ANAO’s work maintains a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs. It conducts financial statement audits of 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entities and analyses the performance of government programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their work requires employees who have a deep understanding of and respect for Australia’s First Nations peoples and the capacity to operate respectfully in a range of cultural environments.
Six per cent of the ANAO’s people have identified that they experience disability (APS Census 2019). The ANAO makes reasonable adjustments to work areas, duties, conditions, hours and equipment to help their employees with physical and mental conditions in bringing their best selves to work. Similarly, they make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to assist applicants with a disability, such as.
The ANAO supports and celebrates LGBTI inclusiveness. It values the contributions of all its people, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity or intersex status. It benefits from a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
The ANAO is a culturally and linguistically diverse organisation. 27% of its people were born overseas. 22% of its people speak another language at home (APS Census 2019).
To allow all their people to practice their faith during the work day, the ANAO provides access to private and quiet reflection space in its office building.
For the ANAO, diversity extends beyond who they hire—it is at the core of how they operate. As a Supreme Audit Institution, they foster best practice through their long-established international partnerships, as well as their regular international dialogues around developments in public sector auditing. They regularly welcome visiting delegations, support study visits and participate in staff exchanges with their international peers.