ACON: National Workplace Awards Demonstrate Australian Business’ Commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion

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May 31, 2026, 4:31:42 AM (2 days ago) May 31
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https://www.acon.org.au/national-workplace-awards-demonstrate-australian-business-commitment-to-lgbtq-inclusion-2

29-05-2026 - 07:28 PMNational Workplace Awards Demonstrate Australian Business’ Commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Organisations from across the Australian economy were today recognised at the Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards for their ongoing work to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion, equity, and belonging in the workplace.

Held in Sydney, the awards saw Bendigo Bank named ‘Employer of the Year’, while Russell Kennedy Lawyers received the title of ‘Small Employer of the Year’. Other high-performing organisations recognised included Liberty Financial and Think HQ.

First established in 2011, the Awards are based on the annual results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) submissions, Australia’s national benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. The AWEI enables organisations to assess and benchmark their policies, practices, and culture in relation to LGBTQ+ inclusion, while recognising both foundational and progressive efforts toward creating safer, more inclusive and equitable workplaces for LGBTQ+ employees and their allies.

The event brings together CEOs, senior executives, HR and diversity leaders, employee network representatives, LGBTQ+ community members and allies who are driving meaningful and positive organisational and cultural change across Australia.

Dawn Emsen-Hough, Director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs said: “Data consistently shows that inclusion practices and measures build workplaces where all Australians can belong, contributing to positive organisational culture, staff engagement, and broader societal wellbeing. These awards highlight the importance of sustained, intentional efforts to embed safety, respect, and inclusion across all levels of work.”

The prestigious Platinum Tier, awarded to organisations that have consistently achieved high benchmark results over the past five years, recognised leaders including AGL Energy, Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Capgemini, Clifford Chance, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, EY Oceania, Fujitsu Australia, Macquarie University, MinterEllison, NAB, PwC, Queensland Department of Education, QBE Insurance, RMIT University, Russell Kennedy Lawyers, Scentre Group, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), The University of Queensland, and UNSW Sydney.

“With more than 1,000 attendees, this year’s Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards is the largest in the event’s history, reflecting the strength and resilience of organisations choosing to remain committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion. The event celebrated the leaders and workplaces continuing to stand visibly and proudly alongside LGBTQ+ employees and communities,” Emsen-Hough said.

Returning to the ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom and hosted by SBS presenters Ricardo Gonçalves and Richelle Harrison Plesse, the awards featured a performance by singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

The event is produced by Pride in Diversity, a national not-for-profit program supporting employers in all aspects of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, and an initiative of ACON, Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ health organisation.

 

For more information please contact: David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications

E: dalex...@acon.org.au   T: (02) 9206 2044   M: 0428 477 042

 

2026 Australian Inclusion Award Recipients

 

AWEI AwardRecipient
Employer of the YearBendigo Bank
Most Improved EmployerLiberty Financial
Employee Network of the YearAustralian Taxation Office (ATO)
Trans and Gender Diverse InclusionDeloitte
CEO of the YearGlenn Morgan (he/him), Deutsche Bank
Executive Leadership AwardKaele Stokes (she/her), Dementia Australia
Network Leader of the YearAmy Ewing (she/her), Ampol
LGBTQ+ Role Model Award (Joint Recipients)Ellie Watts (they/them), Australian Retirement Trust

Sarah Tell (she/her), Brisbane City Council

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Innovation“Activating Parents as Allies for LGBTQ+ Inclusion,” Capgemini
Sally Webster Ally AwardPeta Camilleri (she/her), Capgemini
Sapphire Inspire AwardProfessor Sophia Nimphius (she/her), Edith Cowan University
Platinum Tier Employers 

·         AGL Energy

·         Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

·         Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

·         Capgemini

·         Clayton Utz

·         Coles Group

·         CSIRO

·         Deloitte

·         DLA Piper

·         EY Oceania

·         Fujitsu Australia

·         KPMG Australia

·         Macquarie Group

·         Macquarie University

·         MinterEllison

·         NAB

·         nbn co

·         PwC

·         Queensland Department of Education

·         QBE Insurance

·         RMIT University

·         Services Australia

·         Scentre Group

·         Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)

·         The Star Entertainment Group

·         The University of Queensland

·         The University of Sydney

·         UNSW Sydney

Gold Tier Employers————————————–

·         7-Eleven Australia

·         Allianz Australia

·         Amazon Australia

·         Ampol

·         Australia Post

·         Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)

·         Australian Retirement Trust

·         Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)

·         Bendigo Bank

·         BHP

·         Brisbane City Council

·         Bupa

·         CBRE

·         Charter Hall

·         Department of Health, Disability and Aging

·         EnergyAustralia

·         Hays

·         Hospital Contributions Fund (HCF)

·         International Convention Centre Sydney – ICC Sydney

·         Jacobs

·         John Holland

·         Mallesons

·         Liberty Financial

·         Mars Incorporated Australia New Zealand

·         Marsh

·         Medibank

·         Mirvac

·         Monash University

·         Norton Rose Fulbright

·         Qantas

·         Salesforce

·         Shell Australia

·         Swinburne University of Technology

·         The GPT Group

·         The NRMA

·         Treasury Wine Estates

·         Victoria Police

·         Victoria University

·         Westpac Group

 

Silver Tier Employers————————————–

·         ARUP

·         AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand

·         Australian Federal Police

·         Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

·         Compass Group Australia

·         Department of Health Victoria

·         Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

·         Dexus

·         Edith Cowan University

·         Endeavour Group

·         Fortescue

·         Ikea

·         ING Australia

·         Insurance Australia Group (IAG)

·         Monash IVF Group

·         Motorola Solutions

·         Murdoch University

·         NSW Department of Education

·         NSW Police Force

·         Optus

·         Publicis Groupe Australia

·         QIC Limited

·         SmartGroup

·         Stockland

·         Suncorp

·         Telstra

·         Transdev Australia and New Zealand

·         Transgrid

 

Bronze Tier Employers————————————–

·         Ashurst Australia

·         CBUS Super

·         Children’s Health Queensland

·         Dementia Australia

·         Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

·         Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

·         Department of Social Services

·         Domain Holdings Australia Ltd

·         Energy Queensland

·         Fair Work Ombudsman

·         HSBC Australia

·         IP Australia

·         ISS Facility Services

·         Kinetic

·         Kinetic IT

·         NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

·         Queensland Police Service

·         Rio Tinto

·         SAP Australia

·         Spark North East Link D&C

·         Sportsbet

·         Synergy

·         The Treasury

·         Torrens University

·         Urban Utilities

·         Wotton & Kearney

 

 

Small Employer of the YearRussell Kennedy Lawyers
Most Improved Small EmployerThink HQ
Platinum Tier Small Employer 

·         Clifford Chance

·         Deutsche Bank

·         Russell Kennedy Lawyers

Gold Tier Small Employers————————————–

·         Clyde & Co

·         Colin Biggers & Paisley

·         Custom Fleet

·         ENGIE ANZ

·         First Sentier Group

·         Future Group

·         Investa

·         McCullough Robertson Lawyers

·         Northern Trust

·         Think HQ

·         Uniting Country SA

 

Small Tier Silver Employers————————————–

·         Ausenco

·         Bristol Myers Squibb

·         Gilead Sciences

Small Tier Bronze Employers

 

———————————–

·         Allianz Partners Australia

·         Carers NSW

·         Carriageworks

·         Diageo

·         Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network

·         Roche Diagnostics Australia

·         Sacred Heart Mission

·         Schroder Investment Management Australia

·         Takeda Pharmaceuticals Australia

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