THE ABS'S COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION AND DIVERSITY

ABS RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

The ABS is committed to reconciliation. In line with the ABS mission, the ABS assists and encourages informed decision making, research and discussion among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their communities and organisations, and within governments and the wider community. It does this by leading and coordinating statistical activity involving and relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The ABS Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) sets out actions the ABS will take to:

• increase the recruitment, retention and development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ABS
• build the capability of ABS employees to respond effectively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture
• ensure that ABS policies, programs and services effectively respond to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities
• develop the statistical literacy skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to enable them to make informed decisions about themselves, their families and their communities.

Over the next four years, the ABS's commitment to reconciliation will focus on four key areas: building local connections, building cultural competency, and increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and statistical literacy.

To support continuous improvement and monitoring of the RAP, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group has been established. The reference group contributed to the development of the RAP and will continue to provide periodic reviews and feedback on the progress of the RAP during the life of this plan. The reference group will also assist with the continued development and positive promotion of the RAP into the future. For more information, including the detailed action plan, please refer to the ABS Reconciliation Action Plan, 2013-16 (ABS cat. no. 1011.0).


ABS WORKPLACE DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

The ABS supports all forms of diversity, such as differences in gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural background, disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, differences between individuals in educational level, life experience, work experience, socio-economic background and personality.

Workplace diversity is about creating a respectful and inclusive work environment that values and utilises the contributions of all employees, as well as addressing disadvantage or discrimination experienced by particular diversity groups within the workplace. The ABS Workplace Diversity Action Plan is built on the principle that a diverse workforce is innovative, productive and improves services. The ABS seeks to be representative of the Australian community and to make the fullest possible use of the range of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and talents of all our staff.

The ABS has identified four overarching strategies to achieve positive outcomes from increased workplace diversity:

1. Strengthen a respectful and inclusive work environment and culture
2. Improve our ability to attract, recruit and retain people of diverse backgrounds and targeted under-represented diversity groups
3. Improve our understanding of workplace diversity issues and increase the analysis and utilisation of workplace diversity metrics
4. As a statistical services provider, ensure accessible services, products and data collection practices are provided for people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Progress on the deliverables of the ABS Workplace Diversity Action Plan will be regularly reviewed and reported on annually. The deliverables will be modified where necessary to ensure actions and targets remain relevant over the life of the plan. For more information, including the detailed action plan, please refer to the ABS Workforce Diversity Action Plan, 2013-17 (ABS cat. no. 1010.0).

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