Custom Fleet named 2025 AWEI Small Employer of the Year – and keeps Gold for second year running

These awards are a huge reflection of the hard work and passion our people – especially our Pride workstream – that makes Custom Fleet a safe, inclusive, and empowering place for the LGBTQIA+ community.

What are the AWEI Awards?

The Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards celebrate Australia’s top organisations for LGBTQ+ inclusion based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) – the national benchmark for workplace inclusion.

Being named Small Employer of the Year and retaining our Gold Certification status shows that we’re not just part of the inclusion conversation – we’re helping to lead it.

How did we get here?

In the past year, we’ve built on our strong foundations with a number of meaningful initiatives, including:

• Championing visibility and allyship across key dates like National Coming Out Day, Wear it Purple Day, IDAHOBIT, and Transgender Awareness Week
• Hosting Transgender and Gender Diverse Awareness training, led by Pride in Diversity’s Elisabeth Lane
• Sharing our learnings and best practices on inclusive hiring at a national level
• Supporting LGBTQIA+ voices through our $5,000 sponsorship of Temperance Hall
• Raising awareness World AIDS Day through fundraising and awareness initiatives
• Packing 990 Rainbow Shoelace kits across 66 volunteering hours for nationwide distribution
• Hosting a Pride Month panel, where team members shared personal lived experiences and reflections on inclusion at work

A team effort

Our achievements and recognition are only possible because of the collaboration and leadership across every part of our business.

Chris Tulloch, CEO, says:

  I’m incredibly proud to lead a business where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are deeply embedded in who we are. Achieving AWEI Gold for the second year running – and now being named Small Employer of the Year – is a testament to the tireless work of our Pride team. Their efforts continue to position Custom Fleet as a true leader in this space, not only within our organisation but across our industry. At a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are still being challenged globally, it’s never been more important to lead by example.   

Read more about our Diversity practices and policies.

Looking ahead

As we celebrate Pride Month, we remain committed to making Custom Fleet a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Watch this space – we’re just getting started.