Women in Australia face leadership gains and scaling barriers

Recent developments in Australia highlight both the rising leadership of women in economic institutions and the persistent challenges facing female professionals. High-profile appointments include Danielle Wood as chair of the Productivity Commission, Michele Bullock as the first female governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and Jenny Wilkinson as the first woman to lead the Australian Treasury.

Despite these milestones, women remain underrepresented in the field, comprising approximately one-third of Australian economists and only 17% of economics professors. Data indicates a declining interest among female students in the discipline compared to previous decades.

In the entrepreneurial sector, Australia’s first Gender Index Report reveals a ‘scaling cliff’ for women. While female-led startups are increasing, fewer women successfully transition businesses from the startup phase to large-scale operations due to structural inequities and a lack of support for established businesses. Research suggests that women-led businesses that achieve scale can perform as well as or better than male-led counterparts.