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DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION


Experienced nbn field technician training a younger member of the team

nbn fosters a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where we collaborate and innovate as a team to create value for our customers, partners and the communities in which we operate.

Our people are supported to bring their whole self to work, enabling nbn to leverage different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.


Our commitment to best-practice inclusion


We are proud to be a member of organisations including the Diversity Council of Australia, the Australian Network on Disability (AND), and Pride in Diversity. Additionally, we continuously strive to improve by benchmarking ourselves against industry standards and have received Gold Employer status in the 2021 and 2022 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at nbn

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Our pillars of diversity
















Employee networks


We have employee networks that provide support and connection for our team members. These networks, including First Nations, Gender Equity, Culture, LGBTQ+ Pride, and Accessibility, strive to inspire and engage our employees while promoting inclusion throughout our company. 

First Nations


We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as the custodians of the lands and waters throughout Australia and their continuing connection to Country.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan April 2023 to April 2026, in partnership with Reconciliation Australia, demonstrates our commitment to bridging the gap and incorporating recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their cultures into our daily operations.

We play an important role in driving digital capability in partnership with First Nations, and in exploring how this can help enable the social and economic benefits that access to fast broadband can provide. nbn’s vision for reconciliation is to be deeply engaged and connected with First Nations cultures and aspirations for digital inclusion.

Our internal Liakukana (“lee-ah-kooh-kâh-nah”) community brings together our First Nations’ employees and our diverse members who help deliver our Plan (focused on improving our community engagement and innovative solutions to deliver the nbn® network to First Nations communities). 

We support First Nations’ employees with Reconciliation Awareness learning, mentoring and access to an employee assistance line. We also prioritise culturally-led cyber safety awareness and improving digital abilities for First Nations communities.

We partner with the non-profit Jawun to enable our employees to work with and learn from First Nations organisations for up to six weeks and share their experiences with colleagues.


Connecting First Nations to Telco


First Nations man wearing nbn branded long sleeved shirt next to 'Connecting First Nations to Telco' wording

At nbn, we’re committed to supporting First Nations people to develop their skills through more employment opportunities in Australia’s dynamic telecommunications industry.*

Apply for nbn’s Customer Field Technician Traineeship Program and join our diverse, equitable and inclusive team, all committed to making a difference for communities and customers across Australia.


Gender Equity


We believe in equal and equitable opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender. We promote a culture of inclusion to support everyone's success.

We’re striving for a more gender-balanced team and are committed to lifting the representation of women across nbn, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles, and management. To deliver on our commitment, we have established organisation-wide targets and initiatives including:

  • 40 per cent female representation in senior management positions by 2025, with ongoing performance published in our Annual and Half Year Reports
  • dedicated career development, mentoring and sponsorship programs to support emerging female leaders
  • opportunities for our people to get involved, learn and discuss via nbn Equals, our employee-led gender equity network
  • strong focus on achieving and maintaining Gender Pay Equity
  • providing flexible working options for all employees
  • unconscious bias and inclusion training for all of our people; and
  • gender-balanced recruitment shortlists and interview panels when hiring new employees.



Partnerships


nbn is proud to be the first Government Business Enterprise listed in the Australian Academy of Science’s Women in STEM Decadal Plan Champions, which encourages organisations to work towards gender equity through leadership and cohesion, evaluation, workplace culture, visibility, education and industry action.

We also collaborate with WORK180, an international jobs network that connects smart businesses with talented women. Using regularly updated pre-screening criteria and diversity initiatives focused on age, ability, ethnicity and sexual orientation, WORK180 aligns with nbn’s commitment to a fair and equal workplace for everyone.






Connecting Women to Telco


Female wearing nbn branded long sleeved shirt next to 'Connecting Women to Telco' wording

At nbn, we want to help more women to build their careers in the telecommunications industry and Australia’s digital future.*

Apply for nbn’s Customer Field Technician Traineeship Program and get national qualifications, and expert support to help you make a difference for communities and customers across Australia.

Ready to make a difference in the lives of everyday people?


Meet some of our female leaders 


Jo Dutton, Executive General Manager for Technology Transformation at nbn, standing in hallway smiling

Jo Dutton

Executive General Manager
Technology Transformation

Marie Le Bras, General Counsel for nbn’s Regional Development and Engagement group

Marie Le Bras

General Manager
Legal – Strategy and Policy


Cultural Diversity 

At nbn, we respect everyone's culture and identity. We believe in creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel comfortable expressing themselves and learning about their colleagues' backgrounds. Our people celebrate cultural diversity regularly and encourage story-sharing through our Culture at nbn employee-led network to honour our rich cultural heritage.

We also participate in the Dr John Yu Fellowship, which brings together those from business, government and not-for-profit organisations to become leaders in cultural diversity.

The first program of its kind in Australia, it addresses the gap in training for high-achieving multicultural leaders and organisations wanting to elevate their diversity and inclusion.




LGBTQ+ Pride

At nbn, our vision is that everyone feels safe, included and comfortable being their true and authentic selves at work.

We listen to our LGBTQ+ employees for insights on how to improve and benchmark ourselves against the Australian Workplace Equality Index, earning consecutive Gold employer distinctions.

We make our vision our reality through:

  • Inclusive policies and benefits that support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families with inclusive parental leave, dedicated LGBTQ+ employee assistance, paid gender affirmation leave and more.
  • Training and education programs to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, inclusive language and leadership skills, fostering a more understanding workplace.
  • Celebrating important dates like Wear It Purple day and community events, like Midsumma and Mardi Gras.
  • Expanding our employee network, Pride@nbn, bringing together the ally and rainbow communities to build networking relationships, create a sense of belonging and have a whole lot of fun.

Support for LGBTQ+ in recruitment


We welcome LGBTQ+ community members to join nbn. If you need support or have questions, our Talent Acquisition team can help at recruitment@nbnco.com.au

AWEI Siver Employer 2019




Accessibility

nbn is committed to improving workplace accessibility for all employees. We strive for inclusivity by listening to our employees and working with expert advisors.

The Accessibility and Inclusion Plan 2023-2026 represents a step forward in nbn's commitment to accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities or access needs.

Our plan outlines nbn's approach for ensuring accessible and inclusive products and services for customers and community, and workplace for our people, that upholds respect for human rights.

This plan is vital to our company culture, from the recruitment process to ongoing support of people with disabilities and access needs.

We also endeavour to have a positive impact on our customers, community and partners by working collaboratively to offer accessible products and services.

nbn Accessibility and Inclusion Plan 2023-2026 

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nbn Accessibility and Inclusion Plan 2023-2026 

Easy English

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nbn Accessibility and Includion Plan 2023-2026



Accessibility support during recruitment

nbn provides equitable and inclusive job opportunities for people with disabilities. We offer a recruitment process that accommodates specific needs and adjustments to ensure a comfortable experience. We work with you to implement solutions for your workplace or workstation to enable you to perform at your best.

If you require any accessibility support during the recruitment process, please feel free to let us know by contacting our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@nbnco.com.au


Australian Network on Disability Member


Ready to work on something big?  

Join us at nbn and experience our strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, our values and our purpose, to lift the digital capability of Australia.

We provide flexible work options, personal and professional development opportunities, and the chance to create a meaningful impact. Our doors are open to all who are ready to make a positive difference in Australia’s digital future.

Think this could be you? Join the nbn team today.


* nbn’s recruitment activities are special measures intended to achieve equality under applicable equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation.