Diversity, equity and inclusion

You are welcome here 

We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and supports our people to be the best they can be. 

We acknowledge the barriers and challenges that many underrepresented communities face. Together with our investment in employee education, we want to offer connection and practical support on our journey to greater inclusion. 

We know that by harnessing the diversity of our people, we will be better positioned to deliver the innovative solutions required for the complex problems we face now, and in the future. We also know that by ensuring our practices are inclusive we will enable our people to fully contribute, bringing their diverse perspectives and experiences to everything they do. 

As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, we are focused on the following diversity and inclusion areas:

• Gender equality
• First Nations people 
• LGBTQIA+ 
• People with a disability
• Culturally and linguistically diverse

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

At Powerlink we are committed to reconciliation and value the guidance the oldest living cultures in the world can provide in our journey to transition to a more sustainable future. 

We aim to create a work culture and environment where the importance of First Nations cultures are valued and celebrated, and all staff and partners feel safe to engage and thrive.  

Read the Reconciliation Action Plan

Disability Inclusion Plan

Powerlink’s Disability Inclusion Plan strengthens our commitment to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace for people with disability. It outlines actions to improve equity, accountability, and employee experience.

READ THE DISABILITY INCLUSION PLAN

Days of significance 

At Powerlink you have the opportunity to participate in various days of significance that foster awareness of ongoing inequities, encourage action for change, while also celebrating the diversity of our people. These include, but aren’t limited to International Women’s Day, International Day of People with Disability and IDAHOBT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia).

Flexible working 

Ask us about how we can offer flexible start and finish times, compressed work hours, term-time working, part-time work, time-off-in-lieu or job-sharing – dependent on your role.

Dependent on your role, we’ll support hybrid-work arrangements and discussing how you may want to work. This can include working from home, from the Powerlink head office, hot-desking, shared/co-working spaces, other Powerlink work sites, a library etc or a combination of working locations.

Inclusive workplace facilities

We’re committed to creating inclusive environments at our offices, where everybody can bring their whole selves to work. Our site at Virginia, offers: 

• 2 retreat / prayer rooms with Wudu facilities
• Accessible kitchens
• Dedicated parents rooms
• All gender bathrooms
• Quiet rooms for individual work 

Our Bowen Hills site also offers a retreat space, all gender bathrooms and will soon create a new parents room.

Inclusive leave

We offer paid parental leave up to 18 weeks, with the option of half pay, both with full superannuation entitlements.

We also offer a range of diverse leave options including paid volunteer leave, paid study leave, natural disturbance, additional leave purchasing and leave without pay for long-term study or a career break.

You may access up to an additional 10 days paid Special Leave per calendar year for the purposes of reproductive leave, menstruation leave, gender affirmation leave, domestic violence leave and mental health leave. 

Our leave entitlements also include cultural leave for sorry business / sad news and National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Leave. 

Pay equity

Our competitive compensation packages and annual salary reviews are annually audited and reported on to our Board, ensuring we are continually focusing on gender pay equity. When succession, performance and remuneration processes are undertaken, gender equity is also consciously factored in to reduce risk of inequity.

Parents and carers

Coupled with our dedicated parent and retreat rooms, our personalised parent, carers and wellbeing platform – CircleIn - provides dedicated support and resources and access to expert advice for caregiving employees and their managers at every life stage.

Development support

Our progress towards gender equity is a key strategic measure with a continual focus on the representation of women in leadership roles and in development opportunities. 

We offer access to ongoing learning and development including internal secondments and promotion opportunities, mentoring programs for women, on-the-job skill development and coaching for women. 

You’ll also have access to annual professional development funds, for further education or qualifications to continue your career progression and love of learning. 

We’ll also cover professional and trade skills licensing fees as well as (RPEQ) registration fees. 

Diverse communities

Founded by graduate women for graduate women, PowHERlink is a dedicated group providing a safe space for peer-peer support, resource sharing, connection with alumni women, networking opportunities, guest-speakers and social get togethers for women on our graduate programs.

Our Communities within Powerlink provide a forum where individuals can come together to advance gender equity and diversity within our workplace and beyond. Our COPs include Gender Diversity in Energy, Pride in Power, Inclusive Energy and our RAP Governance committee.   

Our partners and memberships

Powerlink is a proud member of a range of peak bodies and organisations focused on creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone. Through our associations, our employees can access memberships, resources and join communities designed to support and empower them to unleash their potential.