The ACTPS is committed to having a workforce which is representative of the community that it serves. As shown in Table 24, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees made up 18.7 per cent of the ACTPS workforce at June 2019. Of the 4,334 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees:
- the average salary for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees was slightly less than the average ACTPS salary ($90,465 compared to $94,406);
- the highest proportion of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees work in Canberra Health Services (2,141 employees), followed by the Education Directorate with 764 employees as at 30 June 2019;
- the separation rate of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees was lower than the separation rate of the whole of the ACTPS (5.2 per cent compared to 6.9 per cent); and
- 47.4 per cent of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees were in the Dentists/Dental Officers classification group, followed by nursing and midwifery at 33.7 per cent. This is consistent with previous years.
Total Employees (Headcount) | 4,334 | Age | Headcount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Employees (FTE) | 3,892.6 | <20 years old | 9 | |
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse employees by Directorate | % (Headcount) | 20-29 years old | 395 | |
Canberra Health Services | 29.0% (2,141) | 30-39 years old | 1565 | |
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate | 20.2% (504) | 40-49 years old | 1275 | |
ACT Insurance Authority | 16.7% (3) | 50-59 years old | 777 | |
Community Services Directorate | 16.9% (162) | 60-69 years old | 289 | |
Education Directorate | 10.7% (764) | >70 years old | 24 | |
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | 13.3% (91) | Employment Type | ||
ACT Health Directorate | 20.8% (118) | Permanent | 3,208 | |
Justice and Community Safety Directorate | 9.5% (181) | Temporary | 829 | |
Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate | 18% (370) | Casual | 297 | |
ACTPS Total | 18.7% | Employment Category | ||
| Full Time | 3,077 | ||
Average Salary | $90,465 | Part Time | 960 | |
Separation Rate | 5.2% | Casual | 297 | |
In 2019, the ACT Government hosted twenty employees and provided opportunities through the Work Experience and Support Program. This program is designed to help Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to enter the workforce, providing opportunities for people to improve employment skills and develop networks within the ACT Public Service. The eight-week program is run by the Community Services Directorate and recently ran from 15 April 2019 to 7 June 2019.
Directorates were also asked what initiatives they implemented to support employees from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Some examples provided by Directorates included:
- Celebrating Harmony week;
- Promoting awareness programs, such as the ACTPS Training Calendar Engaging with Different Cultures training;
- Providing reasonable workplace adjustments; and
- Promoting the National Multicultural Festival 2019 through our staff newsletter.
During Harmony Week, Directorates undertook a range of activities including:
- EPSDD hosting its first organisational ‘Taste of Harmony’ lunch. Over 100 people attended the lunch and many people brought dishes from their country of origin or from places that they would like to visit. The Welcome to Country focused on welcoming all people from all nations across the world, working together to build a better Australia. Staff had the opportunity to watch a video presentation on discrimination in the workplace and to meet other people from across the Directorate that they may not have met previously.
- CMTEDD showed support for Harmony Day by encouraging staff to wear orange and show support by hosting a morning tea or lunch in their workplace, where they could share a dish that represented their ancestry, cultural background, or their favourite dish from abroad. These events provide a platform for staff to share stories of heritage and promote a positive workplace that celebrates the value of inclusion and diversity.