Acknowledgements

Lived experience

The Plan has drawn extensively on the stories and experiences told to us by real people, CALD and non-CALD, including both current and previous employees of the APS and others external to the APS. Some of our respondents have reported distress and hardship as a direct result of their experiences within the workplace. As a result, we have sought to place the lived experience of CALD employees at the centre of the Plan development. Others have shared with us positive experiences and simple, practical ways to capture the richness of our diversity. We appreciate the time and trust given to us, and we reflect what we have heard in the spirit of that faith. We have used individual quotes to highlight specific experiences, however the observations reflect common themes that emerged from multiple data sources. Not everyone who shared their story has been quoted, but everyone’s story impacted and informed this work. We genuinely hope you can see your story in the broader themes. We are thankful for your goodwill, resilience and willingness to participate. In the next 12 months we will build a curated collection of the lived experience, with your permission and in your voice, to share across the APS.

Agency contributions

The development of this Plan and the supporting resources has been led by the APSC. However, the work was undertaken by a dedicated and passionate team drawn from across the APS. We would like to recognise the direct support of the Australian Financial Security Authority, the Department of Social Services, and The Treasury in providing us with the capability, capacity and cultural diversity to undertake this important work.

Work that is underway and alignment with other strategies

We acknowledge that there is much work underway to build inclusivity of diversity, particularly in relation to our First Nations people, supporting people with a disability and working towards equal opportunity. This work is being led by our own and other agencies, as well as by individuals, non-government and multicultural organisations, and governments, both domestic and international.

The Plan sits within the broader work of the Australian Government on multiculturalism, specifically the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Anti-Racism Framework and the Department of Home Affairs’ Review of the Multicultural Framework.