Workers with disability facing higher levels of discrimination and harassment: report

The data comes from an early release of findings from DCA’s 2025–26 Inclusion@Work Index, which shows that almost half (47 per cent) of workers with disability reported discrimination, harassment or both at work in the previous year. This compares with 25 per cent of workers not living with disability – meaning disabled workers are twice as likely to face such unacceptable behaviours.

The same data in last year’s 2023–24 Inclusion@Work Index showed 42 per cent of workers with disability reporting harassment or discrimination, so the problem appears to have worsened, not improved.

“These findings make it clear that many workers with disability across Australia are still working in environments that undermine their safety, wellbeing, and ability to contribute fully,” said Diversity Council Australia CEO Catherine Hunter.

“It’s encouraging to see more organisations taking action, but these findings show we need deeper, sustained commitment that embeds inclusion as a core part of how organisations operate. Every employer has a responsibility to create workplaces where people with disability are treated with dignity and respect, while feeling safe,” she said.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Care, released last year, 5.5 million Australians lived with disability, representing 21.4 per cent – or one in five – of the total population. Of those people aged 15–64, the ABS said participation in Australia’s workforce had risen to 60.5 per cent, compared to 53.4 per cent in the 2018 survey. However, an alternative report from 2022 figures, also released last year, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) put the employment rate of people living with disability at only 48 per cent, compared to 80 per cent of people without disability.

The AIHW report also found that 53 per cent of bosses found co-worker attitudes to an employee with disability to be a challenge.

However, Diversity Council Australia’s head of research, Dr Rose D’Almada-Remedios, said ways of improving inclusion for workers with disabilities were well known.

“Our Disability Data at Work report, delivered in partnership with Australian Disability Network, explored how organisations can make a meaningful difference by using workplace disability data to guide action,” D'Almada-Remedios said.

“The first step is to build disability awareness and confidence. Embedding accessibility into recruitment and work processes, co-designing policies with employees with disability, ensuring adjustments are accessible for all, and training leaders to recognise and address bias are essential actions that help every employee feel valued.”

More information

DCA’s Disability Data at Work report is here.

A DCA Disability Data at Work infographic summary is here.