Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report 2023-24

The Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report is prepared annually by the Office for Women, and reports on the government’s performance against its gender diversity target. 

Foreword

Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher.

As the Minister for Finance, Women, and the Public Service, I am pleased to present the Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Annual Report 2023-2024.

Women’s equal representation in leadership and representation is essential for better policy and outcomes, not just for women, but for our entire community and economy. This report shows that the Government continues to lead the way in gender equal leadership, reaching a record high of women holding 54.4% of Australian Government board positions. Another record high result has been achieved, with women holding 45.3% of Chair and Deputy Chair positions.

This is the third consecutive year of exceeding the target1 for women to hold 50% of all Australian Government board positions, and the highest representation of women on government boards, since reporting began in 2009.2

Meeting and exceeding the overall target does not mean job done – we have not yet achieved the target of at least 40% women on individual boards and we don’t want to take our foot of the accelerator. To maintain momentum the Government recommits to our existing targets:

  • Women to hold 50% of all Australian Government board positions
  • Women to hold at least 40% of Australian Government board positions at the individual board level

And to shine a light where there is more work to do the Government has set new targets:

  • Women to hold 50% of Australian Government board positions at the portfolio level
  • Women to hold 50% of Chair and Deputy Chair positions on Australian Government boards at the portfolio level

These new targets reflect the stretch needed to close the gap in women’s representation – as women held 50% of Chair and Deputy Chair positions in only 7 out of 17 portfolios. As at 30 June 2024 women made up 50% of board positions in only 11 out of 17 portfolios.

Progress towards gender equality and equal representation in leadership is not inevitable – it requires ambition, effort and accountability. Our ambition and effort is guided by these targets and this report holds us accountable. I look forward to working with my Ministerial colleagues to continue this important work.

Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

Minister for Finance, Minister for Women
and Minister for the Public Service

  1. The target was first achieved in 2021-22, Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report 2021-22 | PM&C↩
  2. When reporting was introduced in 2009, women held just 33.4% of positions.↩