Employers, industry partners and program participants from across Australia will gather in Sydney on 5 March 2026 as the newly announced finalists for the Asuria Employer Awards prepare to celebrate exceptional achievement in inclusive employment and workforce development.
The awards, now in their third year, recognise outstanding innovation, commitment and determination in creating meaningful employment pathways, featuring finalists from organisations of all sizes – from multinational corporations to pioneering small businesses – alongside individuals who have transformed their lives through sustainable employment.
"This year's finalists demonstrate the real power of partnership in action," says Nicole Grainger-Marsh, CEO, Asuria Australia.
"Every organisation and individual shortlisted has shown what's possible when we focus on removing barriers, building on strengths, and creating opportunities that recognise potential over perfection. Together, they're proving that inclusive employment isn't just the right thing to do, it drives innovation, strengthens industries, and changes lives."
Professor Jo Ingold FIEP CAHR: Professor of Business in Human Resource Management at the Australian Catholic University's Peter Faber Business School
Dr. Jodie Trembath PhD: Strategic advisor leading ACCI's policy and advocacy work across diverse sectors, while serving on multiple boards and industry taskforces
Suzanne Colbert AM, GAICD: Strategic advisor, non-executive director, and founder of the Australian Disability Network (ADN)
This award recognises employer partners who embody "Heart-Led Hustle" – balancing compassion with business outcomes and measuring success by lives transformed, not just numbers achieved.
Located in Shepparton, Victoria, The Parklake Hotel has created a supportive environment where Asuria participants across housekeeping, restaurant and maintenance roles receive personalised training, mentorship and workplace adjustments. Under Hotel Manager Akash's people-centred leadership, the hotel prioritises long-term employee development over short-term recruitment gains, building confidence and capability at a sustainable pace.
Craig's Royal Hotel
Over the past year, Craig's Royal Hotel in Ballarat has employed more than 30 Asuria participants, many facing significant barriers including domestic violence, long-term unemployment and limited support networks. Manager Grace's compassionate approach combines flexible rostering, tailored support plans and close collaboration with Asuria mentors, achieving outstanding retention and proving that business success and genuine care for people strengthen one another.
Programmed
As one of Australia's largest labour hire providers, Programmed has placed 124 Asuria participants through innovative pre-employment programs including Introduction to Supply Chain with Forklift and Introduction to Food Process and Manufacturing. Their dedicated advocacy team works nationwide to challenge preconceptions, attending recruitment events and implementing bi-weekly retention check-ins that support participants to thrive beyond placement.
This award recognises employers who deliver measurable impact in building and sustaining diverse workforces, embedding inclusion into core business strategy and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Since partnering with Asuria in October 2024, Star Aviation has achieved 100% retention across 4-week, 12-week and 26-week milestones. Their non-traditional interview process creates work-like environments where candidates discuss adjustments openly, achieving an over-80% transfer rate from interview to employment offer. Monthly recruitment support sessions at Sydney Airport are expanding to Victoria, the ACT, South Australia and Queensland in 2026.
Cripps Nubake
Since 2022, Cripps' co-designed recruitment model with Asuria has transformed workforce diversity across Tasmania. By removing resume requirements and introducing on-site factory walk-throughs, they've placed 90 participants overall, increasing female workforce participation to 34%—well above the industry average of 27.5%. This streamlined, inclusive approach has become the company's standard recruitment method, embedding diversity as core business capability.
Adelaide Active Rehab & Therapy
Director Rob Gordon's people-first leadership at Adelaide Active prioritises sustainable employment over metrics alone. Through trial shifts, customised onboarding, flexible hours and continuous mentorship, they've achieved exceptional retention for participants with disabilities. Rob's presentation at the IEA Welcome Conference has inspired other employers across South Australia to adopt accessible recruitment pathways.
This award celebrates small to medium employers who create meaningful employment opportunities in their local or regional communities, demonstrating that local leadership and inclusive practices transform lives and leave lasting legacies.
This Southern Tasmanian NDIS provider has employed eight Asuria participants across New Norfolk, Sorell, Rosny Park and Glenorchy sites in just four months. Offering substantial employment packages of 30-40 hours per week—with potential for up to 120 hours fortnightly—they've removed common barriers by employing participants without driver's licences and providing proactive support through pre-employment programs.
Costa Group
In Northwest Tasmania, Costa Group HR representative Tina Munn is transforming traditional six-month seasonal roles into year-round positions, providing greater employment stability across the region. With 40 candidates referred and weekly group interviews throughout busy seasons, Costa demonstrates long-term workforce commitment through detailed post-interview feedback and targeted training support.
Real Dairy
Since October 2023, Real Dairy has placed 79 Asuria participants from their Greenacre base, including 29 long-term unemployed individuals. Manager Sharon's inclusive philosophy extends opportunities to nearly all group interview attendees, with comprehensive on-the-job training and strategic pairing of culturally and linguistically diverse candidates with staff from similar backgrounds driving strong retention outcomes.
This award recognises organisations that have developed innovative and effective recruitment solutions in partnership with Asuria, demonstrating creativity, scalability and lasting value while addressing the needs of both employers and jobseekers.
Partnering with Asuria since February 2025, Thrive Group tackled Tasmania's early childhood educator shortage through creative community engagement, from hosting nappy-changing competitions at festivals to delivering training in remote areas including Bothwell and Strahan. Their collaboration with the Migrant Resource Centre reopened a Queenstown Early Learning Service that had closed due to staffing shortages, immediately employing five trainees and substantially reducing waitlists.
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL
The co-designed BARISTARS pre-employment program represents a breakthrough in hospitality recruitment. By selecting transferable modules, accommodating diverse commitments with flexible scheduling, and adding practical components from the second cohort onwards, Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL achieved 100% completion rates with job offers for all participants. Promotional materials have now been developed to scale the program across the hospitality sector.
Wilsons Security
Wilson Security's Pathways to Protection program has employed 27 participants across three Tasmanian regions through resume-free open hiring, interactive facility orientations and Certificate II in Security Operations training. The initial Hobart pilot attracted 12 diverse participants with 100% course completion. Following expansion to Northern and Northwest Tasmania, the model has been adopted as an annual campaign delivering measurable workforce diversification.
This award recognises employers who demonstrate leadership in creating culturally safe and sustainable employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, embedding cultural safety into recruitment and retention while contributing to broader community wellbeing.
As an Aboriginal business, City Indigenous takes community responsibility seriously, having donated over $300,000 worth of clothing, toys and shoes to Indigenous families through partnerships with Babana Aboriginal Men's Mental Health Group, Tribal Warrior and Good360. Their retention support demonstrates culturally responsive practice, funding dental work, facilitating interstate family visits, providing transport, securing housing and offering extensive out-of-hours mentoring.
Coles
Coles' First Nations Recruitment Team partners with Asuria's National Partnership Manager to reserve roles and provide culturally attuned support across Albury and Sydney. The April 2025 Future Foundations program in Albury equipped nine participants with job-readiness training and cultural mentoring, with six commencing employment. Coles now embeds local practices including in-person walk-ins, coordinated onboarding and regular cultural check-ins.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia
Operating Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge facilities, Voyages ensures cultural sensitivity throughout recruitment, considering cultural obligations and providing culturally appropriate support. Their partnerships with Traditional Owners co-design cultural tourism activities and on-Country learning, while supplier diversity prioritises First Nations-owned businesses across cultural performance, art, bush food, training and contracting services.
This award recognises Asuria participants who have demonstrated exceptional determination and resilience, overcoming significant obstacles to achieve meaningful employment outcomes in priority industries and inspiring others by showing what is possible.
After returning from studies at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, Leannasma faced repeated rejections despite strong qualifications. Through Asuria's RiseHY pre-employment program with Hyatt Hotels and Complete Hospitality Training, she gained hands-on training, Responsible Service of Alcohol and food handling qualifications, plus essential soft skills. Now thriving for over a year as a Guest Service Agent at Park Hyatt Sydney, Leannasma returned as a role model at this year's RiseHY event and was featured on Hyatt's LinkedIn as an exemplar of the program's impact.
Heath
Heath joined the Disability Employment Services program (now replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia) in August 2020 at age 19 with no work experience, steadily building foundational skills through unwavering dedication. With support from mentor Kaylah and Workplace Inclusion Specialist Kaitlyn Wright, he secured essentials including his birth certificate and Working with Children Check, completed formal qualifications and participated in five interviews over three months. Placed with Star Aviation in March 2025 as a Cabin Cleaner at Sydney Airport, Heath is approaching 52 weeks of employment with strong prospects for career growth.
Suzanne
Celebrating her 60th birthday while building her dream career, Suzanne overcame the impacts of domestic violence, financial insecurity and anxiety to pursue her lifelong passion for animal care. With support from her Mentor Gabrielle through the Disability Employment Services program (now replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia), she completed RSPCA's 12-week Certificate II in Animal Care with a 95% average while volunteering up to 20 hours weekly and managing a two-hour daily commute. Graduating in December 2024, she commenced employment in January 2025. At her six-month review, leadership recognised her as an organisational asset.
This award recognises Asuria participants who have successfully launched and grown their own small businesses through the Self-Employment Assistance Program, celebrating entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, innovation and businesses that demonstrate viability, growth and positive community impact.
Maria won two gold medals at the 2025 Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards in her first-ever entry, celebrating the quality and innovation of her artisan biltong business. Building on her husband's 50-year cattle farming experience and her Filipino culinary heritage, Maria spent two years perfecting unique recipes and navigating food certification complexities. The Self-Employment Assistance program supported her with marketing, financial management and business operations training, positioning Uncle Bluey's for national recognition and international expansion.
Gai Southwell – Manhuti WalkAbout Jewellery & Weaving
A proud Dunghutti woman from Kempsey, Gai creates Indigenous fibre art including traditional basket weaving, sculptural pieces, lamps, jewellery and photographic art using natural and repurposed materials. In just eight months, her work has been showcased across multiple regional galleries, she's delivered cultural workshops and participated in the Darwin Art Expo as a finalist in two major art prizes. Through the Self-Employment Assistance program, Gai has established branding, developed strong social media presence and integrated cultural travel into her business model.
Donna Forster – WandiliDOGS
Starting her dog grooming business at age 44 after enrolling in TAFE Animal Care courses, Donna overcame significant adversity including caring for her unwell husband, recovering from a serious concussion and managing the demands of returning to study. After covering initial start-up expenses, she achieved nearly $10,000 net profit in her first quarter. Word-of-mouth recommendations and endorsements from two retiring local groomers accelerated growth, with Donna now expanding from grooming into retail products and planning future additions including doggy daycare.
Commenting on the finalists, Asuria Australia CEO Nicole Grainger-Marsh continues: "What distinguishes our 2026 finalists is their genuine commitment to partnership and their understanding that sustainable employment transforms more than individual lives – it strengthens workplaces, industries and communities. Their innovative approaches are setting new benchmarks for what inclusive employment can achieve across Australia."
Asuria congratulates all finalists on their achievements and looks forward to celebrating their contributions to creating positive employment outcomes across Australia.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Sydney on 5 March 2026.