Australia's newest tech workers raise fresh concerns about workplace culture

Australia’s technology sector may be looking to the next generation to build its future, but new research suggests an old workplace culture problem is meeting industry entrants at the door and risking their desire to build a career within it.

The third annual ‘Driving Change in Tech 2026’ research from Women in Digital, an organisation working to improve gender diversity in Australia’s technology sector, reveals almost half (43%) of entry-level tech workers see an entrenched boys’ club in their workplace, while two-thirds (66%) of workers frequently consider leaving their jobs, compared with 30% of those who intend to stay.

In 2025, perceptions of an entrenched boys’ club increased with seniority, from 16% at entry level to 36% among the C-suite. In 2026, that pattern has reversed, with the strongest concerns now emerging among people at the beginning of their technology careers.

Women in Digital CEO and Founder Holly Hunt said the findings should be a wake-up call for employers competing to attract and retain the next generation of talent, particularly as AI begins to reshape traditional graduate and entry-level roles.

“It’s telling to see that such a legacy culture persists today,” she said. “We’ve spent years working alongside technology employers to build the policies and initiatives that support women, and there is real progress to recognise. But what the 2026 data shows us is that policy is not the same as culture.

“AI is also changing what the early stages of a technology career can look like. Not every employer is hiring graduate and entry-level talent in the same way they once did, which makes the experience of the people who do enter the sector even more important.

“You can have every policy on paper and still have a workplace that doesn’t feel inclusive day to day. For employers, the next step is making sure those commitments are reflected in people’s lived experience, in how they are treated, heard, supported and ... able to see a future for themselves in the industry,” Hunt added.

However, the research also found that career confidence is growing, with 62% of respondents now seeing a strong path for growth and promotion, up from 51% in 2025, with women recording a 13% increase. In terms of pay confidence though, 35% of early-career women feel confident asking for a pay rise, compared with 61% of men, the widest gender gap recorded across any question in the research.

The study also found that:

• Flexibility does not always translate into progression: While 76% of respondents say their workplace offers flexibility that meets their needs, 50% of mid-career respondents believe working part-time would hinder their progression and 41% believe having children would negatively affect their leadership opportunities.
• Access to AI is relatively even, but bias remains a concern: 77% of respondents say their workplace encourages them to experiment with AI; however, the report points to independent research showing AI recruitment tools can still infer gender through language and employment gap proxies.
• Senior women are looking for sponsorship, not just mentorship: The research highlights the importance of having someone in a position of influence actively advocate for women’s progression and put them forward for opportunities, rather than relying on mentorship alone.
   

These findings also come at a critical point for Australia’s technology workforce. Australia is working towards a target of 1.2 million tech workers by 2030, while the Tech Council of Australia has identified workplace culture as a key factor in women leaving technical roles.

Adair Robins, Head of Industry Programs, Tech Council of Australia, said: “The Women in Digital report delves into the important work of understanding how workers across our industry experience their careers.

“We know women leave technical roles at higher rates than men, and this report highlights the perceptions driving that trend at each career stage — from those just starting out to the most senior leaders. It’s a must-read for anybody serious about creating greater gender balance in their organisation.”

The full Driving Change in Tech 2026 report is available here.

Image caption: Women in Digital CEO and Founder Holly Hunt. Image: Supplied