Our Corporate Social Responsibility is part of how we work, design and collaborate. We aim to create meaningful outcomes for the environment, our people, our clients and the communities we work with.
 

PARTNERSHIP IN PRACTICE

Nothing great is achieved alone. We work alongside clients, collaborators, and stakeholders to achieve results that truly matter. We understand the impact of our work – on places, people and the planet – and we act with that responsibility in mind.
 

OUR PEOPLE

We respect and value the things that make our staff individuals and we’re committed to creating a culture of inclusion and diversity. We aim to create a workplace that is inclusive, supportive and fair:

• Culture & wellbeing: Our recruitment, training opportunities, and programs are designed to be equitable and to support staff development and work-life balance.
• Values: Our values are more than what we believe – they’re how we work, how we treat each other, and how we show up every day. By living our practice values, we aim to bring out the best in one another and create a positive impact through our work, our relationships, and our care.
• Development: Staff growth and learning are actively supported, helping individuals reach their potential while attracting and retaining talented people.
• Mental Health Support: Staff have access to confidential Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health awareness resources, and opportunities to participate in mindfulness or stress management workshops, ensuring wellbeing is actively supported across the team.
• Equity & Equality: We place importance on equity and equality across all aspects of our practice. This includes fostering gender balance and leadership opportunities, embracing cultural diversity, supporting LGBTQIA+ staff, and ensuring international team members feel welcomed and valued. We also keep an open mind toward international sponsorships to ensure fair and inclusive opportunities.
• Parental Leave Supplement: Our parental leave supplement is one of our recent welfare initiatives, designed to provide extra support for our team. It reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported through every stage of life.

 

OUR ENVIRONMENT

We take practical steps to reduce our impact and support sustainability:

• Carbon Neutrality: We are taking steps to become a carbon neutral company.
• Renewable Energy / Sustainable purchasing: Operations are powered by AGL Green Energy, and office supplies are prioritised for ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility.
• Travel: Staff are encouraged to use public transport, car-sharing, e-transport, walking, cycling, and teleconferencing to reduce travel impacts.
• In the office: Waste is minimised through the use of recycled materials, energy and water consumption is monitored, and environmentally aware suppliers are chosen.

 

ETHICS

We are committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and corporate integrity. We comply with all laws and regulations, accounting standards and ethical guidelines.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT

Within our industry, we hold leadership roles in key planning and design organisations, including the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), and the Victorian Planning & Environmental Law Association (VPELA).

We actively give back and continually learn, supporting young professionals, sponsorship initiatives, and allied organisations. Staff engagement with these institutes ensures we remain aligned with industry standards and best practice.
 

EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP

We support the next generation of professionals through teaching, mentoring, and practical experience:

• University Engagement: Many of our staff have close relationships with RMIT, Melbourne University, and Swinburne, sharing their time and expertise to help students gain practical experience and develop industry knowledge.
• Student Work Experience: We support youth development by offering one-week work experience placements to Year 10 students, providing insight into our industry and fostering early career exploration. We offer two placements per year.
• International Internships: We partner with University College Ghent in Belgium to offer short term placements, supporting global learning and professional development through hands-on experience.
• Industry Initiative: Participation in initiatives like the Design Student Society and Parlour Collective, contributing expertise to support equity, inclusion, and professional development within the architecture and planning professions.

 

LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Hansen actively supports the communities in which we work:

• Social Enterprise Partnerships: Where possible we choose social enterprises to cater our events, combining community engagement with sustainable practices.
• Community Advocacy: We encourage our wider network – clients, collaborators, and partners- to support the causes we are passionate about through our communications and initiatives.

Staff are encouraged to engage with their communities and support causes they care about:

• Volunteering and Fundraising: Colleagues can volunteer or fundraise with company support, including time off when needed.
• Cause Selection: On an annual basis, staff have the opportunity to select the causes that matter most to them. Past support has included First Nations-led organisations, homelessness services, charities focusing on housing for women and children and LGBTQIA+ support groups.

 

PRO BONO

We have the privilege to contribute to causes that align with our values. This includes providing pro bono support to projects, research, teaching, and mentorship, both formally and informally. When engaging in pro bono work, we do so through a CSR lens, ensuring our contributions deliver positive and lasting impact.
 

FIRST NATIONS SUPPORT

As we progress on our reconciliation journey, First Nations partnerships play a vital role in shaping how we learn, create, and engage respectfully with communities:

• Partnering with First Nations Businesses: We engage First Nations-owned consultancies, artists and suppliers to learn from their expertise and support the growth of First Nations businesses in a culturally respectful and inclusive way.
• Cultural Competency Training: Approaching First Nations-led organisations to deliver training for staff enhances knowledge of country, builds cultural awareness and supports respectful engagement practices.

 

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES

Since opening an office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in the mid-1990s, Hansen has worked on many international projects providing planning, design and project management services to both the public and private sectors.

Through this, our focus is on making a positive contribution throughout the Asia Pacific by building capacity and sharing knowledge to strengthen human and institutional resources:

• Knowledge Exchange: Staff collaborate with local partners to share skills and expertise, supporting long-term development and professional growth within the regions we work in.
• Responsible Practice: Projects are designed with a focus on local context, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable outcomes.