Cultural & Linguistic Diversity at Queensland Audit Office

We aim to represent the community we serve and greatly value the diversity and experiences our people bring to our workplace. It’s what makes us strong.

While our history dates to 1860, QAO is a modern organisation. We understand that a diverse, inclusive, safe, and healthy workplace promotes improved decision-making, creativity, and innovation. This leads to overall better performance. 

We invest in our people to help them be at their best and feel connected to our community. 

Our people

Our team of around 199 employees represent a wide range of backgrounds, age demographics, and experiences. 

• Nineteen per cent of our people are culturally and linguistically diverse. 
• Over half are women, of which 32 per cent are in leadership roles (managers and above). 
• Three per cent of our people identify as having a disability.

 We are proud to embrace and support our diverse workforce. 

‘QAO offers continuous learning opportunities, as well as mentorship and guidance. You’ll be supported when working towards obtaining a professional post graduate qualification such as a CA or CPA.

When you step into the doors of QAO it doesn’t just feel like a workplace – it feels like a community.’ – A Meng, Audit Senior. 

Our values

Our values lay the foundation for what we care about most and provide a common way of working with our clients, the Queensland community, and each other. 

We are committed to ensuring QAO’s work environment values the diversity of all people and fosters a culture of respect and inclusion. We reflect this ethos in our organisational values of engage, respect, inspire, and deliver, and adhere to the requirements of the Human Rights Act 2019.

‘QAO is full of talented and supportive people with diverse experiences, and it’s the people that makes it an ideal place to work. It is also incredibly refreshing to be a part of a workplace that is made up of so many different cultures, languages, and backgrounds.’ — A. Prasad, Senior Manager.

Our team

We love to connect and share our cultures, catch up to celebrate special events, and learn from each other. The strong relationships we forge and foster are at the heart of everything we do. 

In early 2023, one staff member brought in their favourite traditional food to share with colleagues in celebration of Lunar New Year. Fast forward 12 months and QAO now has a flourishing ‘foodie group’ of over 100 people who explore different food and cultures each time they get together. We also have a growing hiking group who like to catch up and explore some of the lovely trails around Brisbane.

‘I enjoy celebrating diversity at work and engaging socially in our hybrid working environment. I also really appreciate the nice feedback my comrades have shared with me about our group – I feel so glad seeing everyone enjoying coming together.’ — J. Lau, Manager.

We also endeavour to connect with our local community. 

Our Giving Day initiative supports staff to participate in or support a range of charities, events, or special days. Over the last few years, we’ve volunteered at the MS Moonlight Walk, Clean Up Australia Day, FareShare, provided donations for the Share the Dignity and the Bread Tags for Wheelchairs campaigns, and more.

‘Don’t put too much pressure on yourself in the beginning: soak up everything you can, make friends by engaging in social events, such as the amazing QAO Social Club and the hugely popular foodie group that goes out and reviews all the amazing gastronomy hotspots around Brisbane. But most importantly, enjoy your grad year!' — L. Denton, 2024 Graduate Auditor.