How Austroads earned a 5-Star Employer of Choice award

In a recent interview with HRD TV, Austroads Chief Executive Geoff Allan shared what it means to lead one of Australia and New Zealand’s most quietly influential organisations — and how Austroads earned the coveted 5-Star Employer of Choice award for 2025.

Austroads, a trans-Tasman collective of roads and transport agencies, has successfully merged two distinct legacies: Austroads’ 90-year history and the more recent innovations from TCA. Allan credited the organisation’s cultural success to its inclusive, open environment that values both autonomy and accountability.

“We’ve kept the best parts of both organisations and built on them. We try to make it an open and inclusive place — and a good place to work,” Allan said.

With a strong focus on public purpose, Austroads also allows staff to exercise professional judgment and creativity within a clear cultural framework.

“We set the tone from the top. Respect, encouragement, and autonomy are central to what we do.”

Allan also spoke about the organisation’s evolving hybrid work model, which encourages at least three days in-office while accommodating personal circumstances. The approach fosters connection and makes culture-building more tangible.

In terms of feedback and wellbeing, Austroads stands out for its formal and informal channels, including suggestion boxes, 360-degree surveys, and a proactive leadership style.

“When you hear [feedback], you can’t unhear it. You have to respect it and work to make things better,” said Allan.

The organisation’s diversity and inclusion efforts start with recruitment and extend into a workplace that prioritises psychological and physical wellbeing — from EAP support to fitness subsidies and smoking cessation initiatives.

“We want our people to be healthy — not just because it’s good for them, but because we like the people who work here.” Watch the full interview now to discover why Austroads is proudly one of HRD’s 5-Star Employers of Choice for 2025.