Parramatta, NSW – The City of Parramatta has been officially recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice by Human Resources Director (HRD) Australia, earning a coveted place on the national ‘Best Employer to Work for’ list this week.
In a notable achievement, the City of Parramatta is the only Local Government organisation in Australia with over 500 employees to make the prestigious list, standing tall among top private and public sector employers across the country and around the world.
Organisations were judged based on anonymous staff surveys, measuring satisfaction across critical workplace areas such as compensation, workplace culture, employee development, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. To qualify, employers needed to achieve a staff satisfaction rating of 75% or higher.
Flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, employee reward and recognition programs, and family-friendly benefits like paid parental leave and subsidised childcare ranked highly among Parramatta Council staff.
Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter praised the achievement, stating, “We have a world of opportunity here in Parramatta, with great transport connections, award-winning facilities and amazing destinations for arts and culture, food, sports and entertainment. This recognition reinforces our global vision to make Parramatta a place where people choose to live, work and play.”
Chief Executive Officer Gail Connolly PSM highlighted the Council’s commitment to employee wellbeing and innovation. “This incredible achievement proves that our people-first approach is shaping the next generation of public sector professionals,” she said. “We saw a 30% increase in job applications in 2024, with over 18,000 submissions – nearly double compared to the last two years. That’s a strong testament to our reputation as an employer of choice.”
Council initiatives such as Health and Wellbeing programs, Diversity and Inclusion strategies, all-staff conferences, and investments in cutting-edge technology were key contributors to this success.
This new accolade adds to an impressive list of recent honours for the City of Parramatta, including awards for Best Use of Technology and Best Health and Wellbeing Program at the 2024 Australian HR Awards, the Local Government Excellence Award for People, Workplace & Wellbeing in 2024, and the Best Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Program in 2023.
With an inspiring vision for the future and a thriving workplace culture, the City of Parramatta continues to lead by example in shaping a dynamic, inclusive, and rewarding public sector workforce.
