Diversity and inclusion

4 min read

CFA is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful organisation where everyone feels valued and supported. Embracing diversity strengthens our people, improves decision-making and helps us better serve Victorian communities before, during and after emergencies.

Summary

  • Diversity and inclusion strengthen CFA’s ability to innovate, adapt and better serve Victorian communities.
  • CFA focuses on inclusion across key communities, including First Nations, culturally diverse, all-abilities, women, youth and LGBTQIA+ groups.
  • CFA embeds diversity and inclusion through governance, leadership and everyday practice across the organisation.
  • CFA is strengthening gender equity through its approved Gender Equality Action Plan, supporting an inclusive culture where all volunteers and employees can contribute meaningfully.

We’re committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive CFA where all Members are valued and enabled to thrive. A diverse CFA empowers us to innovate, adapt and build deeper connections to the communities we serve.

Our Vision

CFA is committed to creating and nurturing a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging because we know this improves our ability to keep Victorian communities prepared for and safe from fire.

CFA members engaging with the community

Diversity is broader than the mix of people’s gender, cultural background, age, ability, or sexual orientations. Inclusion is more than making someone feel welcome. Together, diversity and inclusion is a way of thinking and interacting with each other at CFA that embraces difference in all its forms and values all contributions.

CFA strives to be:

  • an organisation that is representative of the broader community in which we work.
  • an employer of choice for volunteers and employees, attracting people with a variety of skills, talents and approaches.

Strategic Goals

Download a text-only version of the Strategic Goals (DOCX 13.6KB)

Diversity focus areas

  • First Nations Australians
  • All-abilities (accessibility, disability, neurodiversity)
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse
  • LGBTQIA+ inclusion
  • Older persons
  • Women and gender equality
  • Youth and young adults (11-24 years of age).

Our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

CFA’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2025 (PDF 8.1MB) is a call to action for all members to support diversity, access and inclusion across CFA so that we can best serve our communities.

The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy builds upon the outcomes External Review of Culture and Issues Management and the Gender Equality Action Plan.

Easy English versions

Easy English version of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

View the Easy English version of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy  (PDF 3.8MB)

Easy English version – How We Will Make It Happen

View the Easy English version of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy – How We Will Make It Happen  (PDF 3.3MB)

Diversity_and_Inclusion_Strategy

Diversity and Inclusion
Strategy 2023-2025 (PDF 8.1MB) 

Embedding inclusion and diversity

To ensure diversity and inclusion initiatives are embedded and supported as core business, we are evolving our governance arrangements. This means that CFA doesn’t treat diversity and inclusion as separate things to ‘do’, but as part of the ‘structure’ of who we are at CFA.

CFA will create Advisory Councils and committees that facilitate a constant cycle of communication and engagement between all areas of CFA.

Download a text-only version of the Diversity & Inclusion Organisation Chart (DOCX 37.3KB)

Contact

For more about CFA’s obligations under the Gender Equality Act or any questions, email genderequalityact@cfa.vic.gov.au

For more about the CFA Diversity and Inclusion Strategy contact diversityandinclusion@cfa.vic.gov.au.

 

Page last updated: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 11:55:49 AM