15 years of gender balance on boards
In 2026, we celebrate 15 years since the first Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report. Over this period, gender balance on Australian Government boards has improved, with women’s representation increasing by over 20% from just 33.4% in 2009 to 54.3% in 2025.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Government has achieved target 1, ensuring women hold at least 50% of government board positions overall. We are driving progress across the remaining targets for women’s representation at the individual board level, the portfolio level and at the leadership level (in chair and deputy chair positions). Based on current trends, achieving all gender balance targets could take up to 6 years but we are committed to meeting these targets sooner.
Supporting long term success
Recent reforms such as the new Australian Government Appointments Framework and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) public sector reporting support the Government’s efforts to achieve the gender balance targets.
Specifically, Government is working to:
- Increase the diversity of candidates: Departments and Agencies can identify existing diversity and skills gaps on boards and where appropriate publicly advertise roles to identify a broad pool of candidates. See the new Australian Government Appointments Framework by Australian Public Service Commission for more information.
- Align with the WGEA gender equality targets scheme: Commonwealth designated relevant employers are required to select 3 gender equality targets and achieve or make progress on them over a three-year cycle. Improving the gender composition of governing bodies is an option under the targets menu. See the Gender Equality Targets Hub by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency for more information.
Ensuring equal representation in leadership means better outcomes for all Australians. The Government will keep working to achieve and maintain these targets alongside our broader gender equality ambitions under Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality.
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
Minister for Finance, Minister for Women
and Minister for the Public Service