As a multicultural and Indigenous broadcaster for all Australians, SBS recognises the social impact its work has on its employees, the community, the environment and the industry. SBS employees dedicate significant amounts of time, energy and resources to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in their day-to-day roles; whether through the SBS Foundation, SBS’s Reconciliation Action Plan, partnerships with community groups, SBS’s cadetship programs or internal Employee Advisory Groups.

SBS Employee Volunteer Program

SBS’s volunteer program provides the opportunity for employees to contribute, connect and develop community relationships. This year’s national volunteer week (18-24 May 2020) was themed “Changing Communities. Changing Lives”. Unfortunately SBS was unable to physically connect with a volunteer program this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, SBS continued to strengthen its relationships and adapt to support Australians during COVID-19 through the SBS Foundation partnerships.

SBS Foundation

Each year, the SBS Foundation supports not-for-profit and charitable organisations by providing free advertising airtime on SBS channels and platforms. SBS works together with Foundation partners to maximise the value of their allotted airtime and to explore opportunities aligned with broader SBS community engagement initiatives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SBS’s community service announcement (CSA) delivery processes were fast-tracked. The focus was on ensuring campaigns for frontline service providers were rapidly deployed to support charities serving the most vulnerable communities, including services aiding mental wellbeing and safety support services that assist with food and shelter relief.

SBS’s COVID-19 response assisted the following organisations by offering free airtime through the SBS Foundation partnership program:

• Support Act
• Swags Backpack beds for Homeless
• Odyssey House
• The Shepherd Centre
• The Healing Foundation
• Narcotics Anonymous
• The Big Issue
• Orange Sky Australia
• Relationships Australia
• RACS – Refugee Advice and Casework Services
• Meals on Wheels
• Diabetes Australia
• Asthma Foundation
• eSafety Commission public service announcements

SBS Employee Advisory Groups

SBS is a purpose-led organisation driven by its Charter, with diversity and inclusion at its core. SBS’s Employee Advisory Groups drive important initiatives to make a difference in the workplace and in the impact SBS has on society and the environment. See Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and sustainability initiatives and Australian Workplace Equality Index.