If you work for an IT or software company, there’s a good chance your job is at one of Australia’s best workplaces, according to the new Best Places to Work list out now in the BRW (you can access the full list here with more info on their operations and locations – note: a subscription is required – and I’ve also provided the Top 50 list below).  Google tops the list this year, little surprise if you’re familiar with their open, innovative workplace concepts. But what of the other players on the list?  What makes them the best of the best?

From perks like ping pong tables, free food, massages and creatively designed office space to fully paid parental leave for up to 40 weeks, the best workplaces in Australia have a lot to offer.  But the most consistent theme across the list is providing employees not so much with fun and food, but with challenging work, collegiality, mutual respect and management credibility – a key factors that underpins both employer and employee trust.

So from the gender balance lens, which are my top pics?

Maternity leave on full pay (number of weeks provided)

• Altis Consulting – 40 weeks
• SAS Institute – 22
• NetApp Australia – 20
• Google Australia – 16
• Pitcher Partners – 14

Paternity leave on full pay (weeks)

• Coca-Cola South Pacific – 12 weeks (same for males and females)
• Altis Consulting – 8
• Zinc – 5 (same for males and females)
• Google Australia – 4

Superannuation above 9 per cent

• Diageo – 15pc (up to 20pc for C-suite)
• Amgen Australia – 15pc
• AUSCOAL Super – 11pc
• Google Australia – 10 pc
• Juniper Networks – 10 pc

Annual volunteer days off

• MRWED Training & Assessment – 10
• Advanced Solutions International – 5
• Nova Group – 5
• McAfee Australia – 5
• Atlassian – 5
  NetApp Australia – 5
• Google Australia – 5

Other notable mentions:

• Porter Davis Homes – parental leave benefits include paid house cleaner for up to four months
• McAfee Australia – Fully funded private health care cover is provided to all permanent employees and their families
• Mediacom – one extra holiday week after 12 months of service
• Pitcher Partners – staff can package an extra 2 weeks of annual leave
• Employment Office, SAS Institute, AUSCOAL Super, MRWED and E-Web Marketing all provide staff with 200 hours or more of training and development every year
• Telcoinabox – Birthdays off!
• Ezypay – fresh fruit for all staff every week
• Juniper Networks provides and extra 5 days of leave for marriages and exams
• Distribution Central – provides an additional day off for non-smokers
• Davidson Recruitment – new mothers are offered a bonus of 8 weeks pay in lieu of maternity leave

If this sounding good, you might be interested in some of the advice from these organisations on how to get a gig with them which includes:

1. Tailoring your resume for the job application by working keywords from the job ad into your resume
2. Starting for free – as an intern or on work experience – or start at the bottom (or at least lower than your current level) and work you way up
3. It helps to know someone – so is there someone you know already working in the company who could refer you in?
4. Be visible in your industry and be visible online – the best workplaces lend weight to people who have a strong personal brand in the market
5. Using data in your resume to point out your key achievements in quantifiable terms
6. Doing your research – with the power of Google there’s absolutely no reason to turn up to a job interview without a full knowledge of the organisation, it’s key markets and why you’re a good fit

Here’s the full list in order of ranking: 

1. Google
2. E-web Marketing
3. NetApp Australia
4. Juniper Networks
5. Atlassian
6. Davidson Recruitment
7. OBS
8. Ikon Communications
9. MRWD Group
10. Altis Consulting
11. Cordelta
12. The Physio Co
13. Auscoal
14. Coca-Cola Amatil
15. Distribution Central
16. Kiandra IT
17. Swaab Attorneys
18. Readify
19. Sentis
20. JDS Australia
21. Orbis Global
22. Porter Davis Homes
23. Bluefin Resources
24. McAfee Australia
25. Amgen Australia
26. Deloitte
27. Employment Office
28. Viteknologies
29. RedBalloon
30. Wavelength International
31. Simcorp
32. Telcoinabox
33. Nova Group
34. Ansarada
35. Ezypay
36. OMD Astralia
37. Silver Chef
38. Unique World
39. Diageo Australia
40. Zinc
41. Advanced Solutions International (Asia Pacific)
42. SAS Institute Australia
43. MediaCom
44. The SMART Group
45. C3 Business Solutions
46. Check Point Software Technologies
47. Finite Recruitment
48. Pitcher Partners Advisors
49. Austereo
50. Philip Webb

I’m curious… Which of the perks and priviliges would you value the most?  Do you work for one of these companies – and if so do you agree it’s one of the best workplaces in Australia?

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences – each comment posted on the blog will go in the draw for a copy of Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed! Simply post your comment here to go in the running…