National recognition for Water Corporation as one of the most inclusive employers in Australia

General Manager People and Safety Sarah Bagshawe, CEO Pat Donovan, and Head of Safety and Wellbeing Tony Dennis (l to r) with the Best Places to Work 2023 award

• Winner of the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category for work to attract, retain and support its diverse and inclusive workforce
• Key initiatives focus on mental health, workplace flexibility, disability and youth employment, Aboriginal employment, and gender pay gap
• Sole WA-based winner in the prestigious national awards

Water Corporation has been recognised as one of the top and most inclusive employers in Australia at the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work 2023 awards – the only WA-based winner in the national awards.

Announced last Thursday (20 April) in Sydney, the WA Government-owned utility won the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category for its commitment to attracting, retaining, and supporting its diverse and inclusive workforce.

The Awards, open to Australian and New Zealand companies, apply a rigorous methodology to assess the key factors critical to employees feeling motivated and engaged at work.

With more than 3,800 employees, Water Corporation has a suite of initiatives and programs to sustain a workplace that is more innovative, creative and adaptable to change. Some examples include:

• Mental Health Champions: network of employees providing on-the-ground support to improve knowledge, understanding and action around mental health and wellbeing.
• Return-to-work program: support for carers and returners, who have taken a career break, to transition back to the workforce through flexible working and coaching and mentoring sessions.
• Aboriginal employment: targeted initiatives to boost recruitment, apprenticeships and traineeships among Aboriginal people, including partnerships with Clontarf and the Deadly Sista Girls.
• Disability Confident Recruiter: initiatives making it easier for candidates with disability to find and retain work at Water Corporation, which was the first Australian water utility to hold this accreditation.
• LGBTQI+ awareness training: building greater knowledge of LGBTQIA+ issues, and providing opportunities to support and encourage allies across the organisation.
• Youth and graduate employment: enhanced career entry programs through access to structured training and development, including being acknowledged as one of WA’s top graduate employers.
• Closing the gender pay gap: enhancing career and professional development opportunities for women to further close the gender pay gap (4.7% in 2022 vs national average 14.1% and 22.1% in WA).
• Women into leadership: better retention and equitable progression opportunities for women into leadership positions, helping raise average earnings of female employees.
• Enhanced recruitment process: modifications to hiring process to ensure candidates from key diversity groups are provided with equal opportunity and to meet diversity targets.

Water Corporation CEO Pat Donovan says the awards success reflects the organisation’s ongoing focus on valuing and supporting employees for their unique insights, ideas and talents.

“We’re passionate about delivering sustainable water services to more than two million customers across WA and our strength comes from our different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives.

“To achieve this, we need programs and initiatives that develop an inclusive, safe workplace culture and supportive career development opportunities.

“To be recognised nationally among many blue-chip firms speaks volumes for our commitment to making Water Corporation a great place to work.”

For more information and current vacancies, visit here; and read more about Water Corporation’s supportive workplace culture here.

Health and Wellbeing Team Lead Maree De La Mare, Change Implementation Specialist Mary Glass, and Head of Safety and Wellbeing Tony Dennis (l to r) with the award for the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category