Complete the Workforce diversity census

Complete the Workforce diversity census and help the Queensland Government collect accurate workforce data. This ensures we put the right programs in place to support you and create a diverse and inclusive workplace.

What is the Workforce diversity census?

The Workforce diversity census is a questionnaire that helps the Queensland Government understand its workforce. It includes questions about:

• gender
• disability
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander descent
• Australian South Sea Islander descent
• culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The information you provide is used for statistical purposes only and in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009. No information identifying you is disclosed to any agency or person.

What if I’ve already provided diversity information?

We want all Queensland Government employees to review and update their diversity information.

The questions now align with national standards, contemporary language, and broadening definitions, so information you provided when you started with us may have changed.

What has changed?

Australian South Sea Islanders

Diversity definitions have been expanded to allow Australian South Sea Islanders to identify as a distinct cultural group. Therefore, if your cultural heritage comprises of two or three distinct cultural groups, such as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or South Sea Islander, the categories have been updated to allow you to make multiple selections that better reflect who you are.

Gender

The Workforce diversity census now has three options to select from—man, woman, or non-binary person.

The option you select can be the same or different from what’s recorded as your sex under your payroll information.

Sex and gender are often used interchangeably; however, this is not accurate. They‘re two distinct concepts.

• Sex refers to sex characteristics observed at birth or infancy. This is what’s recorded under your payroll information.
• Gender is a social and cultural concept. It’s about social and cultural differences in identity, expression and experience as a man, woman, or non-binary person. Non-binary is an overarching term describing gender identities that are not exclusively male or female. This is what’s recorded as part of the Workforce diversity census.

Updating your gender in the Workforce diversity census won’t change your payroll information, but it gives us more meaningful data to analyse and provides a better snapshot of the Queensland Government workforce.

Diversity

We’ve broadened our diversity definition so that Australian South Sea Islanders can identify as a distinct cultural group.

We’ve also made it possible to select multiple cultural groups. If your cultural heritage comprises of two or three distinct cultural groups, you can now indicate this.

Culturally and linguistically diverse background

We’ve replaced the non-English speaking background (NESB) question with two new questions about culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

We will not carry forward any previously collected NESB data, so you must nominate your CALD background again if you want it included in our data.

How do I promote the Workforce diversity census?

If you’re a HR professional, use the Public Service Commission's Internal communication toolkit to promote the Workforce diversity census in your workplace. It’s important all Queensland Government employees can provide this information if they choose.

The toolkit includes intranet, newsletter and social media content, and downloadable images, signage, and posters. Find this on the Workforce diversity census page.

Last updated:

29 June 2022