Social sustainability

Destination NSW’s social sustainability practices encompass its stakeholders, employees and the broader visitor economy workforce. We pride ourselves on taking care of our people and community, guided by our values of passion, collaboration, agility, respect, ownership and excellence.

Work health and safety

Destination NSW continues to be committed to ensuring the inclusion
and participation of all employees in Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
matters and continues to ensure everyone has a safe and healthy
workplace.

The WHS committee continues to promote and educate employees in the identification and management of WHS and relevant obligations. There were no compensation cases or lost time injuries recorded in the 2024–2025 financial year.

Destination NSW has a strong ongoing commitment to providing employees with practical WHS advice.

The Employee Assistance Program continues to be available for staff to
provide health and wellbeing support in the management of personal
situations.

Destination NSW has physical and mental health first aiders available.

In consultation with the WHS Committee, the WHS and Wellbeing Strategy continues to be implemented.

Focus areas include:

  • Proactive inspection of premises for any WHS risks
  • Review of applicable legislation for domestic and international offices
  • Independent audit of premises and activities
  • Promotion of R U OK Day and other wellbeing events
  • Reducing WHS incidents
  • Delivery of WHS Implementation Plan actions
  • Increasing employee awareness of WHS policies, procedures and
    best practices
  • Increasing number of tools available to staff such as templates, intranet and checklists
  • Conducting inductions on work sites
  • Ensuring Fire Wardens, First Aid officers and Mental Health First Aid
    officers are available and in place.

Disability inclusion

Destination NSW is committed to providing an accessible and
inclusive workplace and supports the employment of individuals with
a disability.

Destination NSW will continue to plan and implement inclusive events for
people living with a disability through accessible events and experiences,
including Vivid Sydney, Australia Day and significant major events.

As part of the broader DCITHS department Destination NSW is included in the department’s disability action plan.

Workforce diversity

Destination NSW recognises that diverse workforces are more innovative, productive and increase high-quality outcomes. Diversity of thought aids better decision making.

We will continue to support employees to acknowledge and celebrate
diversity with involvement in NAIDOC week, LGBTQIA+ celebrations, charity fundraisers, and promote behaviour in-line with the Destination NSW values of excellence, collaboration, respect, agility, passion and ownership.

The following table outlines trends in the representation of workforce
diversity groups workforce diversity information for Destination NSW as of
30 June 2025.

Multicultural initiatives

Destination NSW encourages staff to celebrate diversity and continues
to advocate for the values of a multicultural society by showing respect and being inclusive of diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

The agency continues to follow the NSW Government guidelines regarding culturally and linguistically diverse communities and provides customised translations of its Sydney.com website in key community and visitor languages, such as Simplified Chinese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and German.

Destination NSW continues to explore opportunities to develop programs,
initiatives and events that help people from culturally diverse communities
achieve high social and economic participation.

Destination NSW celebrates and encourages staff to participate in events such as Harmony Day, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. Promotion of our international staff is also a focus at the agency.

Modern slavery

Destination NSW is required to abide by the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW).

The agency is not aware of any modern slavery issues experienced
during the reporting year.

During the reporting year, Destination NSW has worked collaboratively with DCITHS on an agency specific modern slavery risk assessment, spend
analysis and action plan and road map for improved practices.

Destination NSW has identified high-risk procurement categories for goods and services. The agency procures these high-risk categories from the applicable whole-of-government arrangements where possible.

Reasonable steps undertaken by Destination NSW are as follows:

  • Consideration of Modern Slavery during the planning phase for
    procurement activities above $150,000 ex GST when completing
    procurement strategies.
  • Incorporation of model template clause into sourcing and contract templates.
  • Modern Slavery addressed in this annual report in accordance with
    guidance provided by the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
  • Employees may be required to attend modern slavery-related
    training at the direction of Destination NSW.
  • Cooperate with the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner including the
    sharing of information and providing reasonable assistance and support.
  • Working with DCITHS (Strategic Procurement) and KPMG Australia on
    a Destination NSW Modern Slavery risk assessment, spend analysis, and action plan and road map.
  • Modern slavery considered by legal and procurement team in
    procurements.
  • Considered modern slavery legislation by legal and procurement team in Destination NSW legislation and compliance register.
  • Check in with Modern Slavery Commissioner website for presentations and news.
  • Check with suppliers on supply chain.