Workforce Diversity in Australia: Programs and Policies

Abstract

Historically, the Australian labour market was characterised by discrimination on the grounds of sex and race. Changes to the workforce in Australia over the last century have seen an increase of women and people from minority groups in the labour force. This paper focuses on the changes in employment that have occurred for women workers and Indigenous workers, arguably the group of workers who have suffered the greatest amount of discrimination. Anti-discrimination legislation and legislation designed to promote equal employment opportunity are examined. More recent concepts such as work/family balance and managing diversity are analysed. While past discrimination has been recognised as leaving a legacy for today, and policies and programs designed to promote equity have been promulgated widely, differential outcomes for groups of workers such as women and Indigenous Australians remain.