ARC Justice is committed to supporting and growing a team that is engaged in work they find meaningful and where people are proud to say they work here.
Our annual employee engagement survey, done in October 2024, showed a strong lift in participation, up 13% from the previous year. This gives us a clearer picture of how our staff are feeling and what they need.
A key indicator of organisational health is the engagement score. This rose by 6% from 2023 and sits 5% higher than the Non-Profits Australia benchmark, reflecting the strength of our culture and the commitment of our staff.
Survey results highlighted several strengths.
The survey also pointed to areas needing attention. In 2024/25, we focused on:
A major piece of work this year was the collaborative development of our organisation values. Staff from across ARC Justice contributed to defining what these values mean in practice, both in how we work together and how we show up in our communities.
These shared values – Together, Excellence, Impact – now sit at the centre of our culture and guide the way we support each other and deliver services.
By investing in our people, listening to staff feedback and creating space for growth, ARC Justice is building a workplace where staff feel connected, supported and motivated to deliver the best outcomes for the communities we serve.
ARC Justice continues to strengthen its foundations as a sustainable and responsible organisation.
We are committed to meeting service contract requirements, improving quality and safeguarding our organisation through strong compliance and risk management. We also aim to lead by example in social and environmental responsibility.
Our funding has more than doubled since 2022, driven by new partnerships and untied organisation-strengthening grants. This growth has increased our reach and impact, allowing us to support more regional Victorians than ever before.
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We have made strong progress towards our Reconciliation Action Plan ambitions. Engagement with Aboriginal-Community Controlled Organisations has deepened across the region, with partnerships that improve outcomes through our health justice work, climate justice collaborations and advocacy on court system changes affecting First Nations parents.
Relationships with Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service have all strengthened this year.
All staff did cultural self-reflection training and Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities were shared and attended across the organisation.
New artwork by local First Nations artists and by artists supported through The Torch now hang in both our Bendigo and Shepparton offices, reflecting our commitment to culturally safe and respectful workplaces.
A more systematic approach to cultural safety and anti-racism will be a priority in 2026, ensuring ARC Justice continues to be a culturally safe mainstream alternative legal service and a strong ally in First Nations-led advocacy.
We also continued our work to reduce our environmental impact.
Hybrid fleet vehicles, improved waste sorting and the move from paper-based systems to predominantly digital operations are now embedded as everyday practice. Our strongest environmental impact, however, comes through our climate justice advocacy, where we continue to push for responsible mitigation and adaptation measures to protect the liveability of regional Victoria.
ARC Justice’s growth, strengthened partnerships and responsible practices ensure we remain a stable, effective and forward-looking organisation – one that can meet present needs while planning confidently for the future.
