Women's participation in STEM improving

The number of women involved in STEM degrees has grown by 24% between 2015 and 2020, according to new data from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, but significant gender gaps remain.

The 2022 STEM Equity Monitor found that women’s share of STEM enrolments at universities increased from 34% to 37% over the same period.

But the report found that women remain significantly underrepresented in the top echelons of Australia’s STEM workforce, accounting for just 8% of CEO roles and 23% of all senior managerial positions.

Meanwhile the report estimates that significant disparities in pay remain, with an 18% gender pay gap across all STEM sectors, representing an average of $27,000. In the computer system design and related services segment, the pay gap is narrower at 14%.

Science & Technology Australia said the research highlights the importance of both widening the pipeline of women into STEM and supporting women to progress into leadership roles.

“After a decade of concerted effort to encourage more girls and young women to study STEM, we’re starting to see real progress now with many more women doing STEM degrees,” she said.

“The next urgent challenge is for deeper efforts to tackle the gender pay gap for women in STEM and to propel many more women into senior management and leadership roles in the STEM workforce. STEM employers have a powerful responsibility here.”

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