On May 20, Australian business leaders and HR professionals from various industries will come together to celebrate International HR Day. Led locally by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI), this annual event recognises the vital role HR plays in building workplaces where both people and organisations flourish. This year’s activities highlight HR’s expanding influence on organisational strategy and success.
International HR Day 2025 Overview
-
Event Date: May 20, 2025
-
Led by: Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
-
Focus: Celebrating HR’s strategic role in business growth and workplace wellbeing
-
Key Feature: Video showcasing CEO insights from companies like PepsiCo, Priceline, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service
CEO Perspectives on HR’s Strategic Importance
-
Kyle Faulconer, CEO of PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand:
-
Emphasizes HR’s critical role at the executive table
-
Highlights workforce planning as essential to overall strategic planning
-
-
CEOs across industries underline HR as a key partner in driving organisational success
The Expanding Role of HR in 2025
-
HR leaders are partnering with CEOs and executives to:
-
Drive value creation through human capital strategies
-
Shape the future success of organisations
-
-
HR is increasingly central to strategic decision-making and change management
Research-Backed ROI of Effective HR Practices
-
Organisations leveraging HR as a strategic partner see 1.4x higher revenue growth
-
Effective change management correlates with a 264% increase in revenue growth
-
Comprehensive wellbeing programs reduce turnover by 11%
-
Healthy organisational cultures generate a 60% higher shareholder return and improve transformation success
-
Strategic workforce planning can boost profit margins by 1.5 times
-
Strong talent management practices can more than double revenue growth
Leadership Voices on HR’s Impact
-
Michael Rosmarin, Chair and National President of AHRI:
-
Highlights HR’s role in fostering agile, resilient workforces
-
Calls HR professionals “cornerstones of organisational success and stability”
-
-
Sarah McCann-Bartlett, CEO of AHRI:
-
Affirms HR’s essential skills in growing organisational value through people and culture
-
International HR Day Celebrations
-
Activities across Australia include:
-
Events and panel discussions
-
Social media campaigns
-
Signing of a global e-card honoring HR professionals, powered by Kudoboard
-
-
Global reach through promotion by European Association for People Management (EAPM) and World Federation of People Management Associations
-
International HR Day began in 2019 and is celebrated in over 80 countries worldwide
International HR Day 2025 highlights the growing strategic importance of HR professionals in Australian businesses. As HR leaders continue to shape workforce planning, culture, and talent management, their contributions remain vital to organisational resilience and growth. This day serves to recognise and celebrate the ongoing dedication of HR teams across Australia and the globe.
