Health and Wellbeing
Healthy Workplace
We strongly support a healthy workforce and offer a range of activities and initiatives to support the health and wellbeing of its employees.
Health Related Lifestyle Expenses
To encourage employees to actively participate in health related lifestyle activities, some areas of the Department subsidise expenses relating to these health related activities. The subsidy is up to $150.00 and can be claimed every calendar year.
FITTER
FITTER is a healthy living initiative that has been prepared for the Department. It is designed to encourage our employees to think more carefully about their own health and general wellbeing through the promotion of a more active lifestyle.
FITTER aims to introduce employees to the various healthy activities that are possible across Australia and enable them to make that choice. There are a variety of activity based events and information based events scheduled each month such as fun runs and walks, netball, golf, soccer and volleyball competitions.
FITTER has the following key objectives:
- To increase employee awareness of issues/facts associated with health and fitness
- An increased level of health and fitness among Departmental employees
- An ongoing/long term impact on employee lifestyle/degree of behavioural change.
FITTER activities are designed to accommodate varying levels of fitness. Furthermore, everyone who enters is eligible for prizes, not just the winners. To encourage healthy competition between Divisions, prizes are awarded for participation in FITTER events and also for volunteering to help out with an event.
Industry House
Industry House (our main office, located in Canberra) accommodates the majority of the Department's employees. Industry House sets new benchmarks for Government accommodation in Canberra City (Civic) and provides the Department with the unique opportunity to reside in the one custom built office building.
The Deaprtment has a number of other office locations around Australia - to find out where these are click on Our Locations.
Health and Wellbeing Sessions
The Human Resources and Facilities Branch within the Department runs a series of Health and Wellbeing sessions which all interested employees are invited to attend. The popular lunchtime seminars cover topics such as managing personal wellbeing, having a healthy heart and understanding depression.
Smoke-free Workforce
The Department is a smoke-free workplace and does not permit smoking during work hours. Our Smoke-free Workforce Policy came into effect on 1 October 2006. From that date, our employees who are smokers are no longer permitted to smoke while on duty or whilst representing the Department in any capacity. Our Department offers assistance to its employees wanting to give up smoking.
Occupational Health and Safety
We are committed to providing employees with a safe and healthy workplace and focussing on the prevention of workplace injuries through the identification and removal of hazards and potential hazards. The Department has and adheres to detailed OH&S Policy and Procedures. In addition the Department has a detailed First Aid Program.
Diverse Workplace
The Department is so diverse that no matter what you’re interested in, you’re sure to find a work area that suits you.
We work with our industry stakeholders and state governments to achieve the Australian Government’s priorities in the fields of innovation, industry, science and research. We provide our Ministers with policy advice, administer legislation, manage programs, undertake analysis, and deliver a range of services to the business community.
Nobody works in isolation within our Department. Usually the activities of one section tie into several other activities being undertaken across the portfolio. The following is a list of the Divisions that are part of the Department:
- AusIndustry
- Corporate Division
- eBusiness Division
- Enterprise Connect Division
- Industry and Small Business Policy Division
- Innovation Division
- Manufacturing Division
- National Measurement Institute (NMI)
- Questacon
- Science and Infrastructure Division
- Research Division
In addition, the Office of the Chief Scientist is also located within the Department.
IP Australia also falls within the Department's organisational structure as a prescribed agency under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, but operates independently of the Department on financial matters and with some degree of autonomy on other matters.
The Department's Organisational Chart (.pdf, 21KB) provides a visual illustration of the Department's structure and depicts the functions under each Division.
Workplace Diversity
We aim to create a workplace environment that is harassment-free. We value our diverse workforce and increase our employee motivation and creativity through flexible and inclusive employment. The Department does this through its Workplace Diversity Program and its Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
In addition, we provide relevant training and counselling, to further promote workplace diversity.
Employee Testimonials
"I commenced in 1999 in the Audit, Evaluation and Risk Section in Corporate. I then returned to the Department in April 2003 (after a six month period in DEST) in my existing job. Working at the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, in particular working in AusIndustry has provided me with an appreciation of the amazing innovation that occurs in the country. The support the Department gives businesses in Australia to promote significant innovation provides me with significant pride in my job. My collegues at the Department are supportive and friendly and promote a harmonious working environment. I have had wonderful Managers who have supported and encourage me to achieve my goals. The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is definitely a place to grow your career and achieve your goals."
Mimi Mastrolembo - Finance Manager
AusIndustry Division
Finance, Compliance & Debt Section
"Working in eBusiness has really changed my whole career perspective. Prior to joining eBusiness, I had no aspiration for any career advancement however the support I received from both management and colleagues has given the chance to grow personally and professionally. Their encouragement has given me the motivation to produce skills I never thought I had. eBusiness values and recognises hard work. They also support work and life balance which has enabled me to have a career and still spend time with my son during the school holidays."
Mariecel Ricabo
ICT Systems Branch
eBusiness Division
"My main motivation for joining the Department was to work within the area of space research, and the Department has carriage of civil space policy. But not only this, the Department deals with other innovation issues like nanotechnology and biotechnology as well as free trade agreements, and the inclusion of science into the portfolio brings a wealth of opportunity. In my current position I am involved in helping to develop national civil space policy, including the Australian Space Science Program. I also engage with the wider international space community on issues such as earth observation, space treaties, and space debris. I love my job because everyday I get to work on exciting issues that I think are really important for Australia and the rest of the world. I originally joined the Department through the Graduate Program and truly believe the program offers great training opportunities, both external and internal, and the major project gave my team the chance to get our teeth into a real-life industry policy issue."
Mark Fenotti
Manufacturing Division
Space Policy Section
"I work as a Business Analyst in the VANguard team delivering eAuthentication services to government agencies at all levels, commonwealth, state and local. Working in eBusiness exposes employees to a range of different projects, people, places and tasks. One day you can be speaking to key stakeholders in Melbourne and the next you could be in Darwin, helping the NT Government develop its e-Government Framework... Whether you're a Project Manager, Business Analyst, Developer, Tester, or other, or just trying to move into that space, eBusiness provides a good career path and plenty of learning and personal development opportunities and support. What's more, the friendly nature of the staff will make you feel right at home and part of the team in no time at all :) eBusiness is a great place to work and a great experience. Make it your experience too!!"
Florian Radu
ICT Systems Branch
eBusiness Division
"I joined the Department through the Graduate Program in 2008 and have now been here for nearly two years. Moving from Brisbane to Canberra to take a position with the Department was a huge decision for me, but one that I certainly do not regret. During the Graduate Program I worked within three different Divisions; worked on a variety of complex and interesting tasks; liaised with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and realised the importance of the Department. After gaining some great experience I am now working in the People Strategy Team within the Human Resources and Facilities Branch. Here I work on developing and promoting the Department's Corporately funded L&D Programs; workforce planning and marketing within our section. I enjoy coming into work and love working with my team. I truly believe the Department creates a great sense of community and really cares about its employees' personal and career development."
Jamie Roberts
People Strategy Team
Corporate Division
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