We aim to be as diverse as the community we serve. We're committed to building a safe, inclusive environment for all 3,500 of our people and the organisations who work with us. At Sydney Water, you have a right to be free to be your true self, feel supported, and know that you belong.
A workplace where everyone is valued
Creating a better life with world class water services is better achieved together. We understand the many benefits of having a diverse workplace, focusing on equity and inclusion to enable people, networks and communities to thrive. We believe that for our cities to thrive, our people need to thrive first.
Our workplace operates as an ecosystem that supports you to express yourself and be enriched by the unique experience of your colleagues, and help drive positive change.
We can't share everything about our workplace ecosystem on a single page. Get the whole story from our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Plan 2023–2026 accessible version or full version.
What we do to prove it
- Promote cultural safety – equity, inclusion and belonging is everyone's business
- Foster a sense of community where our people are respected, are connected and belong
- Advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion so our people can contribute, feel valued and thrive
- Embrace difference and a culture that is free from any form of discrimination or harassment
- Continuously improve diversity representation to enable better outcomes for the community
Diversity, equity and inclusion make us better.
First Nations inclusion
We value the meaningful, respectful relationships we have with First Nations employees, communities and stakeholders. We work alongside communities on projects like cool burns and revegetation works that align with Care for Country principles.
Reconciliation at Sydney Water
Reconciliation Australia has recently endorsed our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our RAP is our roadmap to reconciliation.
Aboriginal Procurement Participation Plan
Our Aboriginal Procurement Participation Plan supports opportunities for First Nations businesses to work directly with us by becoming registered suppliers.
First Nations Employee Network
We established our First Nations Employee Network in April 2022. It provides a forum to connect First Nations employees from across all areas of the business. The network helps to increase awareness, improve relationships, and discuss challenges and opportunities.
Career pathways
There are several pathways to a meaningful career at Sydney Water, including traineeships, internships and our Graduate program. First Nations peoples are welcome to join our talent community. We strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.
Interested in a career? Check out the First Nations candidate recruitment guide to see what to expect.
Cultural diversity inclusion
We're proud of the cultural diversity at Sydney Water. We enjoy the diversity of thought, skills, cultures and experiences that it brings. Our holistic approach enables us to ensure that our multicultural dimension also considers the multiracial, multifaith and multilingual aspects that define cultural identity.
Celebration of culturally significant days and dates
We embrace celebration, and hold meaningful events for Lunar New Year, Nowruz, Easter, Christmas, Ramadan, Eid, Diwali and other significant days as we continue to grow and evolve. It's how we acknowledge and share the benefits of the rich cultural diversity in our organisation.
Employees perform traditional dance celebrating Diwali.
Disability and neurodiversity inclusion
We're committed to increasing representation of people with disability and those who are neurodivergent.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Partnership
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a recognised symbol that allows people to discreetly indicate they have a non-visible disability or condition and may need additional support. As part of our partnership, we deliver awareness training on hidden disabilities and provide sunflower lanyards to individuals with these conditions, as well as to trained supporters who want to help create a more inclusive environment.
Disability and Neurodiversity Network
We launched our network in November 2023 when we announced our partnership with WaterAble. WaterAble connects people with disability or who are neurodivergent across the water industry. It aims to improve inclusion for employees and customers. We join the list of official WaterAble partners.
Gender inclusion
We understand that gender is not binary. However, female participation in the water industry has always been a challenge. We focus on decreasing the gender pay gap and strengthening women's representation in leadership and STEM roles. We focus on equity in terms of gender and understand that both systemic and societal inequities exist.
Women of Water
Women of Water (WOW) is a network dedicated to empowering women through connection, collaboration, and wellbeing. Together, members champion leadership, celebrate talent, and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed.
Men's Network
Founded in 2024, the Men’s Network exists to provide opportunities for men and allies to have a safe space to share, listen and support each other, with a strong focus on operational engagement.
Participation in significant events
WOW delivers initiatives through significant days, such as International Day for Women and Girls in Science, International Women in Engineering Day and International Women's Day. The Men’s Network facilitates sessions that support men’s health and wellbeing throughout the year, including but not limited to Men’s Health Week.
Both WOW and the Men’s Network collaborate to deliver initiatives and events through internal channels and stakeholders and through external engagement and partnerships too.
Operational employees at Malabar Water Resource Recovery Facility.
LGBTQI+ inclusion
We aim to be nothing but welcoming, and we're a proud member of the Welcome Here Project. Welcome Here is an initiative that supports welcoming, safe and inclusive businesses and services.
Sydney Water's Pride Network
The Pride Network is a voice for LGBTQI+ inclusion at Sydney Water. It provides input and insight for policies, procedures and frameworks through a rainbow lens.
Supporting the LGBTQI+ community
The Pride Network facilitated and led our involvement in WorldPride. We were the water partner for WorldPride in 2023. We also provide free water stations for Mardi Gras Fair Day to keep the community hydrated.
Australian Workplace Equality Index
In 2022, we participated for the first time in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) and the AWEI Employee Survey. In 2026 we participated in another AWEI survey, and were successful as bronze tier employers. The AWEI is a definitive national benchmark of LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion. We're using insights we’ve gained from the survey results to take action to progress with LGBTQI+ inclusion.
Employees celebrating a Pride event.
We're proud to be associated with
- Australian Disability Network (ADN)
- Changing Places Group (CPG)
- Diversity Council of Australia (DCA)
- Engineering Aid Australia (EAA)
- Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW)
- Jawun
- JobAccess
- Jobsupport
- KARI Foundation
- National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
- National Association of Women in Operations (NAWO)
- NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC)
- Pride in Diversity (PiD)
- Pride in Water
- Supply Nation
- WaterAble
- Welcome Here Project