Women hold just 12% of top mining jobs in Australia: report
Research exposes a leadership gap in mining despite faster promotions for women and potential financial gains.
Women hold just 12% of chief executive and head-of-business positions in Australia's mining industry, despite making up 23% of its workforce, according to new research. The Gender Equity Insights 2026 report, produced by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, found that women occupy 24% of mining management positions and 25% of senior management roles, with their representation dropping sharply at the highest executive levels.
The study suggests that women's leadership gap could be limiting companies' ability to retain talent and improve business performance. Mining's pay gap, which attributes A$2,950 to the national total remuneration gap, contributes to the leadership imbalance. Greater female representation in corporate leadership is associated with stronger financial outcomes among ASX-listed companies.
The report highlights limited access to flexible management positions as another barrier to retaining experienced women, particularly those with caring responsibilities.
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