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Championing inclusion for our staff, participants and communities.

Our commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion

At Aruma, we are a human rights organisation. Inclusion is central to who we are and how we work. We are committed to creating a workplace and support environment where LGBTQIA+ participants, staff, and their families and support networks feel safe, respected, and free to be themselves.

That means going beyond words and taking real action. We are a proud member of Pride in Diversity, Australia’s leading not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion. Through this partnership, we are actively working towards the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) benchmarks that help us measure and improve our progress.

Our LGBTQIA+ inclusion work includes providing awareness and education opportunities for all staff, reviewing our policies and practices to align with best-practice inclusion standards, celebrating LGBTQIA+ days of significance and Pride events, and ensuring LGBTQIA+ voices help shape the way we work.

Our Key Performance Indicators

  1. KPI – 10% of our staff identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community
  2. Obtain AWEI membership with Pride in Diversity & actively pursue AWEI benchmarking to advance LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion at Aruma.
  3. Continue to raise awareness and improve understanding by offering LGBTQIA+ training for staff.
  4. Promote support by an Aruma presence at Pride Events / celebrate LGBTQIA+ recognised days.

Inclusion and The Aruma Way

Everything we do at Aruma is guided by The Aruma Way, our quality framework built on the promise of upholding the human rights of every person we support, every time.

The Aruma Way is shaped by four goals: Your Way, The Safe Way, The Right Way and Together. These goals sit at the heart of our LGBTQIA+ inclusion work too.

Your Way means we respect your identity and your choices. The Safe Way means we create environments where everyone is safe from discrimination and harm. The Right Way means we hold ourselves to high standards and keep improving. Together means we work in partnership with the people we support, their families and our communities.

When LGBTQIA+ staff and participants feel safe and respected, everyone benefits. Inclusion strengthens the quality of support we provide and the culture we build together.

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What this means if you are thinking about working at Aruma

If you are exploring a career in disability services and LGBTQIA+ inclusion matters to you, we want you to know that it matters to us too.

At Aruma, you will find a workplace that is actively investing in LGBTQIA+ inclusion, not just talking about it.

  • We have a dedicated LGBTQIA+ Focus Group made up of staff from across the organisation.
  • We partner with Pride in Diversity to hold ourselves accountable.
  • We are building a culture where allies and champions are encouraged to speak up, listen and learn.

We know that when people feel safe to be themselves at work, they do their best work. That is something we take seriously.

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Support and resources

Whether you are an Aruma staff member, someone we support, or a family member, there are services available if you need someone to talk to.

The Rainbow Collective is Aruma’s LGBTQIA+ employee network. It is a welcoming community space where LGBTQIA+ employees and allies can connect, support one another, and celebrate diversity.

The Rainbow Collective plays an important role in strengthening inclusion at Aruma by promoting belonging, visibility, and connection, while supporting the ongoing work to ensure Aruma is a safe, inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ people.
Aruma staff also have access to confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Converge International, covering both work and personal matters.
QLife is a free, anonymous peer support and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people in Australia, available by phone or webchat from 3pm to midnight (AEST) every day. Visit qlife.org.au
TransHub by ACON provides information and support for trans and gender diverse people in New South Wales, covering social, legal and medical aspects of gender affirmation. Visit transhub.org.au
ACON is the leading health organisation for people of diverse sexualities and genders in New South Wales, offering services across mental health, sexual health, HIV support and more. Visit acon.org.au
PFLAG Australia supports families and friends of LGBTQIA+ people through peer support groups, education and advocacy across the country. Visit pflag.org.au
Say It Out Loud provides inclusive resources for LGBTQIA+ communities on healthy relationships and support for those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. Visit sayitoutloud.org.au
The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation is an Australian charity working to raise awareness and provide support for LGBTIQ+ people affected by domestic, family and intimate partner violence. Visit lgbtqdvaf.org.au
Minus18 is Australia’s charity for LGBTQIA+ young people. It provides life-affirming events, education and online resources to support young people across the country. Minus18 also delivers LGBTQIA+ inclusion training for schools and workplaces, helping build safe and welcoming environments for everyone. Visit minus18.org.au

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