Women in Leadership by Industry (Australia 2024-25)
How Australian industries compare on women's workforce representation and the gap into senior leadership — from WGEA's 2024-25 employer data.
Nationally in 2024-25, women were 51.6% of the reported workforce, 43% of managers and 39% of senior leaders — a 12.6pp leadership gap. Retail Trade has the widest industry gap (16pp).
51.6%
Women in workforce
43%
Women managers
39%
Women senior leaders
12.6pp
Leadership gap
Across all Australian employers reporting to WGEA in 2024-25, women make up 51.6% of the workforce but only 39% of senior leaders — a 12.6 percentage-point leadership gap. The gap is widest in Retail Trade (16pp) and narrowest in Transport, Postal and Warehousing (-3.2pp). This is a headcount measure of representation — separate from the dollar gender pay gap, which WGEA publishes per employer.
By industry (ANZSIC division)
| Industry | Women workforce | Women managers | Women leaders | Leadership gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 56.3% | 50.9% | 40.3% | 16pp |
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 37.1% | 25.1% | 22.7% | 14.4pp |
| Financial and Insurance Services | 53% | 43.5% | 39% | 14pp |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 77.9% | 71.2% | 64.3% | 13.6pp |
| Arts and Recreation Services | 51.7% | 43.6% | 38.4% | 13.3pp |
| Education and Training | 66.5% | 57.2% | 54% | 12.5pp |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 51.6% | 48.3% | 39.8% | 11.8pp |
| Wholesale Trade | 38.1% | 31.3% | 29.2% | 8.9pp |
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | 38.4% | 37.3% | 30.1% | 8.3pp |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 43.3% | 38.1% | 36% | 7.3pp |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 42.7% | 39.3% | 36% | 6.7pp |
| Administrative and Support Services | 46.6% | 45% | 41.4% | 5.2pp |
| Other Services | 52.2% | 50.6% | 47.3% | 4.9pp |
| Construction | 21.1% | 17.4% | 16.8% | 4.3pp |
| Public Administration and Safety | 28.7% | 27% | 25.7% | 3pp |
| Manufacturing | 27.8% | 26.3% | 26.4% | 1.4pp |
| Mining | 22.6% | 22.6% | 24% | -1.4pp |
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 27.6% | 27.1% | 29.1% | -1.5pp |
| Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 26.6% | 31.2% | 29.8% | -3.2pp |
Want your own employer's dollar pay gap?
WGEA publishes the gender pay gap for each employer with 100+ staff. Use the WGEA Employer Lookup to open your employer's report. If you believe you're being paid or treated unequally because of your sex, the Discrimination Complaint Letter and Discrimination Claim Builder can help.
Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) 2025 Public Data File, reporting year 2024-25, via data.gov.au, licensed CC-BY 3.0 AU. Figures are derived from reported headcounts across employers with 100+ employees and cover representation, not remuneration. This is general information, not legal advice.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.