CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, and CFA Society Australia, has launched the Australia edition of its voluntary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Code for the Investment Profession (DEI Code).
The voluntary DEI Code is available to investment organisations in Australia of any size that seek to accelerate change by fostering a commitment to DEI.
The Australia DEI Code follows the successful introduction of a DEI Code in the United States and Canada in February 2022, the UK edition in October 2023, and the DEI Code Europe was launched in the Netherlands in June 2024. Since the February 2022 launch, the DEI Code has been adopted by more than 200 investment organisations, representing nearly 30% of global assets under management. CFA Institute worked with CFA Society Australia and a DEI Code (Australia) working group of local investment and DEI professionals from organisations including HESTA, VFMC, Future Fund, Future IM/Pact and The University of Sydney, to adapt the Code for DEI challenges and opportunities specific to Australia.
“Qualitative and quantitative research has proven that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes on behalf of investors and create better work environments for employees. To make concrete progress on DEI, organisations that seek to do so need to integrate principles of equity and inclusion throughout the business in terms of behaviours, policies and operations,” said Margaret Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute.