Hilton has once again earned the title of Australia’s #1 Best Workplace for 2025, following a survey of over 158,000 Australian workers by Great Place To Work, with Marriott International also placing in the top 10.
Hilton, also awarded the title in 2023, was praised for its inclusive workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing support, and listening to feedback from employees.
“Hilton exemplifies how psychological safety becomes the foundation for exceptional workplace culture,” the report states.
“With seven appearances on Australia’s Best Workplace list, the global hospitality leader demonstrates that sustained excellence comes from creating environments where all 460,000 team members across 139 countries feel genuinely safe to be themselves.”
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta was recognised for his consistent presence across the business, demonstrating approachable leadership that sets the cultural tone.
“This visibility creates what Kay Harriman, Senior HR Director, describes as a culture where “inclusion is a choice”, one that leaders actively make every day through their behaviour and interactions,” the report states.
“The company’s leadership framework centres on “Inspire Others”, encouraging leaders to create environments team members genuinely want to be part of while balancing decisiveness with inclusion and respect. This approach ensures psychological safety isn’t just a policy but a lived experience driven by leadership actions.”
Alongside Australia, Hilton celebrates Great Place to Work certification across three other countries in the region – New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.
Hilton Area Vice President and Head of Australasia, Paul Hutton, said the ahievements reflect the deep trust team members place in Hilton.
“We’re incredibly proud to once again be recognised as a Great Place to Work,” Hutton said.
“This is a testament to our commitment to listening, growing together, and creating a workplace where every team member feels supported, valued, and inspired. We know that building a great place to work takes more than policy – it takes people.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together, and we’re just getting started.”
Hilton offers a range of global and regional programs that promote well-being, career development, and inclusion, including Thrive at Hilton, for physical, mental, and financial wellness; Lead@Hilton, a global learning platform for leadership development; Care for All, an industry-leading caregiving support initiative; Careers@Hilton, which raises awareness of hospitality career opportunities for young people; and Go Hilton, a travel program for team members across all roles and regions.
“This recognition is a celebration of our people, and the careers they’re building here. Hospitality is a dynamic and rewarding industry with endless opportunities,” said Hilton Senior Director Human Resources Australasia, Mary Hogg.
“At Hilton, whether you start at the front desk, in housekeeping, or in a specialist function, we support your journey every step of the way.”
The 2025 list of Australia’s Best Workplaces recognises 100 organisations across different categories from micro to large that are leading the way in workplace culture and employee engagement.
Marriott International was ranked #9 in the large category.
The report found that today’s employees are demanding flexibility, inclusion, career progression and fun at work.
“The future of work isn’t coming. It’s already here; and it’s employee-led,” said Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand General Manager, Rebecca Moulynox.
“Companies that fail to adapt to this shift will find themselves irrelevant to the talent they need most.”
The survey found that 93% of employees who feel supported to take time off want to stay long-term. Where flexibility is lacking, that figure plummets to 63%.
At leading organisations, 92% of frontline workers feel heard by decision-makers. At typical companies, this is just 50%.
Even in high-performing workplaces, only 38% of employees want to stay if trust erodes, regardless of benefits or culture initiatives.
Gen Z workers are demanding growth, inclusion, flexibility, and leaders they can believe in, and fun at work is 200% more powerful for wellbeing than any benefit. Employees who report fun are nearly three times more likely to thrive, the report found.
“This isn’t a trend, it’s a power shift. And the companies that succeed in 2025 and beyond will be those that respond not just quickly, but boldly,” Moulynox added.
Other large category winners included Cisco, which was recognised for embedding trust into AI adoption with its own secure assistant and Responsible AI framework, and REA Group, which has bridged five generations with leadership programs that connect Gen Z grads to Baby Boomer mentors.