Paper Title
Shifts in Diversity & Inclusion Maturity in Australia: A Comparative Study of Changes in Workplace Practices and Perceptions

Abstract
Little is known about the progress and subsequent maturity of diversity and inclusion (D&I) practice in Australian organisations beyond annual reporting of workforce profile data tracking women‘s advancement in senior roles and gender pay gap. This research critically examines D&I practices and perceptions against eleven dimensions within a three stage D&I maturity model, comparing 2023 progress against a similar study in 2016. Perceptions on current D&I practices were collected using on-line surveys completed by employees of varying organisation type and size. Analysis shows significant slippage in D&I practice with organisations seen as having ‗advanced maturity‘ (i.e. Stage 3) declining from 24% in 2016 to 10% in 2023. Dimension level changes show specific areas of decline including the strategic appetite of executive leaders to prioritise D&I, and leaders visibly championing D&I. Changes mean Stage 3 maturity will remain elusive without system-wide commitment to workplace culture reform by leaders and by taking greater ownership of D&I strategy. Findings have implications for practitioners in engaging and sustaining leader buy-in to advance D&I maturity, ensuring all talent can thrive, bring their best and support organisational excellence. Keywords— Australia, diversity and inclusion, D&I maturity, strategic leadership