This document, “Diversity and Inclusion on Boards – A Toolkit,” is a guide developed by the Queensland Government to help agencies increase the participation and representation of all Queenslanders on government boards, committees, and other bodies. The toolkit provides practical guidance on recruiting qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds and is intended for government officers involved in recruitment, external board recruiters, and current board chairs and members.

The toolkit can support transparency and accountability when engaging with multicultural communities by encouraging organizations to:

• Acknowledge and Address Barriers to Participation: The document identifies demand-side factors, such as lack of accountability and conscious and unconscious bias, and supply-side factors, like the perceived lack of “board-ready” diverse candidates, as barriers to diversity and inclusion on boards. By recognizing these barriers, organizations can be more transparent about the challenges that exist and be held accountable for addressing them.
• Develop Action Plans with Targeted Strategies: The toolkit advocates for developing an action plan to achieve diversity goals and overcome barriers. This plan should include targeted strategies for different diversity groups, including Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. These strategies range from cultural competency training and the use of diverse media channels to engaging with peak bodies and offering interviews to all candidates who meet minimum requirements. Having a clear action plan with specific, measurable goals promotes transparency and accountability.
• Evaluate and Report on Initiatives: The document stresses the importance of evaluating efforts by measuring and reporting on initiatives. This includes developing performance indicators, using quantitative and qualitative methods to collect evidence, and reflecting on the changes achieved. Regular reporting on the progress of diversity and inclusion initiatives demonstrates accountability and transparency to multicultural communities.