Workplace diversity – Women on agriculture boards

Summary

Despite national targets for gender-balanced boards, women remain underrepresented in agricultural governance. In agriculture, women hold only 19% of board roles and just 2% of CEO positions, and cultural diversity remains minimal, with First Nations and CALD representation negligible. Furthermore, only 18% of agricultural organisations have formal gender equity policies, underscoring the need for systemic change (Workplace Gender Equality Agency – 2024).
This underrepresentation is not due to a lack of capability or interest but rather persistent barriers that limit women’s access to governance roles. These barriers include:

Limited access to networks that connect aspiring board members with decision makers.
Lack of targeted training in governance, risk management, and strategic leadership.
Systemic biases in recruitment and appointment processes that favour traditional candidates.
Geographic and social isolation, particularly for women in rural and remote communities.
Additional challenges for underrepresented groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with disability, youth, and CALD women.

The WOAB Project (the project) will address the gap in female representation on agricultural boards by implementing a targeted, national approach to building board-ready capability. It will deliver structured training, mentoring, and industry engagement to prepare women for leadership roles, while actively promoting inclusion of underrepresented groups such as First Nations women, CALD women, young leaders, and women with disability.

The project will provide an evidence-based framework for coordinated action across governance, industry, and policy settings to accelerate gender balance on boards. By strengthening pathways and reducing barriers, the program ensures agricultural decision-making reflects the diversity of Australia’s communities and delivers better outcomes for producers and regional stakeholders.

Program

Investing in People

Research Organisation

Australian Women in Agriculture

Objective Summary

The project will help women get ready for board roles by:

Offering practical training in leadership, governance, strategy, communication, and risk management.
Connecting women with experienced mentors and industry leaders to build networks.
Working with industry to remove barriers and create clear pathways to board appointments.
Promoting opportunities for women and celebrating their successes.
Actively including underrepresented groups—such as First Nations women, CALD women, young leaders, and women with disability—through targeted recruitment and support for training, mentoring, and board roles.