What is the gender leadership gap?

It's the difference between women's share of an industry's workforce and their share of its senior leadership (CEOs, key management personnel and executives). Nationally in 2024-25, women were 51.6% of the workforce but only 39% of senior leaders — a 12.6 percentage-point gap. This is based on headcount, and is different from the dollar gender pay gap (which WGEA publishes per employer).

Which Australian industry has the biggest gender leadership gap?

On WGEA's 2024-25 data, Retail Trade has the largest leadership gap at 16 percentage points — women are 56.3% of the workforce there but 40.3% of senior leaders. Transport, Postal and Warehousing has the smallest at -3.2 points.

Where do I find my own employer's gender pay gap?

WGEA publishes each employer's dollar gender pay gap (for employers with 100+ staff) in its public Data Explorer. Use our WGEA Employer Lookup to jump straight to your employer's report. This page covers representation and leadership at the industry level, which the public dataset reports by headcount.

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.

Last verified: 21 May 2026

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).

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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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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.

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