The nation’s independent infrastructure adviser, Infrastructure Australia, has been certified as a ‘Family Friendly Workplace’ by UNICEF Australia and Parents At Work in recognition of the agency’s strong workplace culture and support for its people. 

Infrastructure Australia Chief Executive Adam Copp said the certification means the agency has joined a select group of businesses and organisations that are officially recognised as providing a ‘Family Friendly Workplace’. 

“To achieve this certification, we have focused on developing policies and fostering a workplace culture that genuinely supports our team to thrive at work and at home,” Mr Copp said. 

“Whether it’s supporting team members to juggle caregiving responsibilities with work or enabling our people to work remotely from regional areas across Australia, Infrastructure Australia is committed to providing a flexible workplace.  

“We also offer 18 weeks of flexible paid parental leave to all employees regardless of gender and allow staff to choose how to utilise their entitlement in a way that suits their family circumstances, supporting all team members to actively engage in their family responsibilities. 

“We’re proud to be offering a supportive and inclusive workplace that empowers our people to be open about their needs.”  

Mr Copp added that this accreditation underscores Infrastructure Australia’s efforts to advocate for more supportive workplaces in the broader infrastructure sector, which is struggling with attracting and retaining its workforce. 

“More than 225,000 workers are needed to plan and deliver major projects in Australia, but the lack of flexibility and diversity in the industry has hindered its ability to overcome these shortages. This can be seen by women only making up 14 per cent of the workforce,” Mr Copp said.  

“There are a number of recommendations we make on how the industry can overcome these worker shortages, including addressing its culture, so it is more appealing especially to young people. 

“We have tried to lead by example by making flexible working a core part of our organisation’s identity and embedding that into our culture and policies.” 

Parents At Work CEO Emma Walsh said it was pleasing to see Infrastructure Australia was wanting to motivate the broader infrastructure industry to make changes to better support employees, and really leading by example. 

“The more supported working parents and carers are, the easier it is for them to focus on being productive, engaged employees. The Family Friendly Workplace Certification is an indication that Infrastructure Australia are leading the charge by taking real and measurable action to changing the landscape of how employers empower their people,” Ms Walsh said.