Prepared annually, the report outlines the Australian Government’s performance against its gender diversity target. It outlines recent reforms including the new Australian Government Appointments Framework and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) public sector reporting. In 2026, it has been15 years since the first Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report. Over this period, gender balance on Australian Government boards has improved, with women’s representation
increasing by over 20% from just 33% in 2009 to 54% in 2025. 

Key findings

• For the fourth consecutive year, the Government has achieved target 1, ensuring women hold at least 50% of government board positions overall.
• At the current rate of change it will take three years for women to hold at least 40% of Australian Government board positions at the individual board level.
• Of the 357 boards across government portfolios, 299 boards have at least a 40% representation of women.
• 12 of 17 portfolios have at least 50% representation of women holding 50% of Australian Government board positions at the
  portfolio level. At the current rate of change it will take 5 years to meet the target.
• 9 of 17 portfolios met the target for women to hold 50% of Chair and Deputy Chair positions on Australian Government boards at the portfolio level. At the current rate of change it will take six years to meet the target.