Social class is an often hidden barrier holding many Australians back at work, according to new research from Diversity Council Australia (DCA), with workplace inclusion holding a key to solutions.
Early findings from DCA’s Class Inclusion at Work report (to be released in October) have revealed a persistent ‘class ceiling’ that’s limiting career opportunities for workers who are marginalised by their social class.
Only 44 per cent of class marginalised workers have been offered career development opportunities in the past year, compared to 76 per cent who are privileged by their social class, findings show.
Supporting this data further, findings show that only four per cent of leaders surveyed reported being class marginalised, and 40 per cent reported class privilege.
Despite these insights, only 24 per cent of leaders surveyed recognise that social class makes a difference in Australia, compared with 33 per cent of other workers who responded.
On top of this, less than one in four (22 per cent) of class marginalised workers feel valued and respected in their team, compared to 41 per cent of workers with class privilege.
Looking towards solutions, the data pinpointed workplace inclusion as a key area of impact, with class marginalised employees who work within inclusive organisations reporting as more than twice as likely to have participated in career development opportunities.
The highly anticipated 2025 Class at Work report comes five years after DCA’s groundbreaking 2020 report. Leading experts plan to discuss the latest findings following DCA’s 2025 Anna McPhee Oration, where Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn will reflect on her first year in office.
“Five years on from DCA’s groundbreaking 2020 Class at Work report, these new findings prove that social class remains one of the most powerful, yet least acknowledged, barriers to inclusion at work,” said Catherine Hunter, CEO of DCA, Australia’s leading peak body for diversity and inclusion.
“This discussion will set the stage for an important conversation on why class matters at work, and why we must begin dismantling the systemic barriers that continue to hold people back.”