The National Archives aims for a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We create positive workplace experiences for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives and experiences our people bring to the workplace. In turn, we harness these features for high performance and improved service delivery.

We want our people to feel included, valued and respected, and to have equal access to opportunities, to support their full participation at work. We aim to retain and grow the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career. We value an engaged, motivated and productive workforce.

Our Diversity Plan 2022-25 outlines a range of initiatives aimed at fostering equity among under-represented groups, such as Indigenous peoples and people with a disability. Our initiatives also support an ageing workforce.

We are committed to supporting the employment of people with disability and apply the RecruitAbility Scheme to all our vacancies (including APS and SES levels).

The National Archives is a signatory to the Tandanya Declaration and we have a Reconciliation Action Plan in place. We support Identified and Affirmative Measures actions, and have a few of these positions in our agency. Contact us for more information.

Our corporate diversity partnerships

To demonstrate our organisation's commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace, National Archives are proud members of the Australian Network on Disability, Diversity Council Australia and Pride in Diversity.

These organisations provide us with access to specialist knowledge on matters relating to workplace inclusion and diversity. This helps shape our inclusion policies and strategies and ensures our programs and services support the diverse needs of our workforce.

Breastfeeding friendly workplace

The National Archives now meets 'Best Practice' for current Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Australia standards. Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) and the BFW team are proud to call the National Archives one of its most dedicated accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation (BFW) is awarded by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) to organisations that provide three simple criteria to support their breastfeeding employees in the workforce so they can meet both their work and family commitments:

• Space: a dedicated or shared space so that employees can comfortably breastfeed and/or express breastmilk in private.
• Time: a breastfeeding policy/statement, which provides lactation breaks, so women may breastfeed or express breastmilk during working hours.
• Support: a comprehensive communication plan to ensure that information regarding breastfeeding support reaches all stakeholders and normalises breastfeeding in your work environment.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer Statement

Commitment to Gender Equality

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) is committed to fostering a workplace that values inclusion, diversity and gender equality. We believe equal opportunities for all employees is essential to achieving our purpose and maintaining a positive, high-performing APS Agency.

Gender Pay Gap Results

For the 2025 reporting period, National Archives reports that the average total remuneration gender pay gap is -1.6%. This result compares favourably to the mid-point of all employer gender pay gaps in our Comparison Group of public sector agencies of similar size, which is 5.8%. A negative percentage indicates women are paid more than men, while a positive percentage indicates men are paid more than women.

Insights from gender pay gap analysis

Our analysis indicates that the small negative pay gap is primarily due to:

• Strong representation of women in senior roles within National Archives.
• Consistent application of classification and remuneration frameworks that minimise discretionary pay differences.

We will continue monitoring workforce composition and pay structures to ensure equality is maintained, and any emerging disparities are addressed promptly.

Actions taken and future commitments

Over the past year, National Archives has focussed on initiatives to support gender equality, including:

• Maintaining transparent recruitment and promotion processes.
• Ensuring remuneration decisions align with policies ensuring compliance with best practice and fairness.
• Providing flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance for all employees.

Looking ahead, National Archives will:

• Continue annual gender pay gap analysis to identify and address any trends.
• Ensure leadership development programs provide for equal access for all genders.
• Promote inclusive workplace practices through ongoing training and awareness programs.

Alignment with National Archives of Australia strategic priorities

Gender equality is integral to National Archives' strategic priorities, particularly in building a modern, inclusive, and high-performing APS Agency that supports our purpose to preserve and provide access to Australia's archival collection. Our commitment to gender equality aligns with the following strategic objectives:

• People and Culture: Attracting, retaining and developing diverse talent through equitable practices.
• Innovation and Excellence: Leveraging diverse perspectives to drive innovation and deliver exceptional services to the public.
• Sustainability and Accountability: Ensuring transparent and fair employment practices that uphold public trust and agency integrity.

By embedding gender equality into these priorities, National Archives reinforces its role as a leader in workplace fairness and inclusion within the public sector.