DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
NOMINATED FOR
Adelaide
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How would you describe yourself or your work in one sentence?
South Australia’s leading government department for LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
Tell us a little about what you do
The Department of Human Services (DHS) brings together a range of services, funding and policy responsibilities which together support fairness, opportunity, and choice for all South Australians.
DHS has lead responsibility on behalf of the South Australian government in areas including early intervention to support children's wellbeing, disability, prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence, screening services and youth justice. The department also provides a wide range of grants to community organisations, and concessions to help cost-of-living.
What impact or achievement are you most proud of this year?
DHS has taken numerous actions to better support LGBTIQA+ staff and communities in recent years. This includes supporting Pink Parents to establish Rainbow Connections Playgroups for rainbow families, creating a LGBTIQA+ Employee Network, updating workplace policies to be more LGBTIQA+-inclusive, and recognising LGBTIQA+ people as a priority group for various grants and action plans.
In January 2026, DHS’ Safer Family Services team became the first government service in South Australia to achieve Rainbow Tick accreditation, demonstrating DHS’ commitment to being an inclusive workplace and service provider alike.
DHS also supports LGBTIQA+ inclusion within the South Australian public sector more broadly, including by coordinating the SA Public Sector group in the Adelaide Pride March each year, and by supporting the LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council so LGBTIQA+ communities have a direct voice to government.
Why does your work matter to the community?
Everyone deserves to feel welcome at work and when accessing services.
DHS is committed to making our services and workplaces safe and inclusive for all people and ensuring the full diversity of the communities we serve are represented in the strategies we lead. By embedding inclusion in what we do, we strive to create more equitable outcomes for all South Australians, including LGBTIQA+ people.
What would you like voters to know when voting for you?
Voting for DHS demonstrates that embedding inclusion into government programs and services matters.