This year’s Inclusive Employer Index will include a new question to establish baseline data on neurodiversity.

According to the Diversity Council Australia (DCA), the new addition will give organisations unique insights into the inclusion experiences of neurodivergent employees, marking the first time this data will be captured in a standardised way across Australian organisations.

DCA CEO Catherine Hunter says neurodiversity data is crucial to building neuroinclusive workplaces.

“An estimated 15 to 20% of people are neurodivergent, yet until now many organisations have lacked the tools they need to understand their employees’ experiences or the barriers they face at work,” she says. 

“Capturing neurodiversity data safely and respectfully is a vital first step toward identifying and removing these barriers.”

The introduction of neurodiversity as an additional dimension in the Index was informed by insights from DCA’s newly released Neurodiversity Data at Work guide. This resource was developed through a national consultation involving nearly 3000 participants, including more than 2200 neurodivergent individuals as well as HR and diversity and inclusion practitioners.

About the Index

In partnership with Cultural Infusion, DCA’s Inclusive Employer Index is promoted as Australia’s only inclusion index run by an independent peak body that enables organisations to measure, benchmark and strengthen their workplace inclusion efforts across 10 diversity dimensions.

It captures a wide range of inclusion indicators, including leadership commitment and employee experiences of inclusion and exclusion across areas such as gender, race, disability, age and LGBTQ+ inclusion – with the new neurodiversity question adding an important data point.

The Index also offers organisations an evidence‑based platform to assess risk by highlighting potential issues and areas that require targeted action. Insights from last year’s Index showed that DCA member organisations are on average more inclusive, more likely to value having a diverse team and their employees are significantly less likely to face discrimination or harassment.

Recognition

Organisations that meet the program requirements and exceed the national benchmarks will earn recognition as a DCA 2026-2027 Inclusive Employer – a mark of excellence publicly promoted by DCA.

Recognised organisations can showcase the Inclusive Employer brand to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion to employees, partners, and the wider community.

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interest for the 2026–2027 Inclusive Employer Index are now open until 14 August.

Organisations who sign up before 5 April can take advantage of a 10% early-bird discount, available for both DCA member and non-member organisations.