Culturally Diverse People Working in the NSW Public Sector

New South Wales is a culturally diverse State and the Government is committed to the increased participation of people from diverse backgrounds. In the NSW Public Sector the skills, experience and linguistic abilities of employees are valued, and managers are encouraged to recognise and develop diversity in the workplace.

The Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 (NSW) includes four principles of multiculturalism:

Principle 1

All individuals in NSW should have the greatest possible opportunity to contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life.

Principle 2

All individuals and public institutions should respect and accommodate the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the primary language.

Principle 3

All individuals should have the greatest possible opportunity to make use of and participate in relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of NSW.

Principle 4

All public institutions of NSW should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of NSW as a valuable resource and promote the resource to maximise the development of the State.

Agencies need to ensure that services are responsive to the needs of a diverse community, and that they improve employment opportunities and outcomes for members of diverse cultural backgrounds.

The 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Housing and Population indicated that 23.8% of the NSW community was born overseas, and it is generally recognised that skilled migration has made a significant contribution of the skill base of the Australian workforce. Better utilisation of diversity in the NSW community can assist to deal with increasing skill and labour shortages, by providing access to a greater pool of applicants for public service positions.

Diversity Delivers is a guide that shares the experiences of a number of agencies that have turned the NSW Government policy of valuing the skills, experience and linguistic abilities of the State's diverse population into a reality.