July 2026
Tackling engineering’s gender gap
New Champions of Change Engineers Group
A new $1.9 million national initiative, supported by Consult Australia, will target the systemic barriers that prevent women from entering, staying and progressing in engineering.
The Champions of Change Coalition has received $1.9 million in funding from the Australian Government to support the establishment of a new Champions of Change Engineers Group.
The three-year national project will focus on systemic change to accelerate women’s participation, retention and progression in engineering. The project aims to build on and accelerate progress in lifting women’s representation to more than 40% over a 10-to-15-year horizon.
Just 2% of all female university students in Australia study engineering, compared with 12% of all male students. In mid-career, women engineers continue to face barriers including opaque career pathways, inflexible project design, under-recognition of overseas qualifications and uneven access to sponsorship and leadership opportunities.
Meanwhile, Australia’s engineering pipeline is under pressure. Demand is rising, domestic supply is not keeping pace, and approximately 70,000 engineers are projected to retire over the next decade.
Delivered in partnership with Engineers Australia and with the support of Consult Australia, including its consulting engineers-focused Champions of Change Group, the project will bring together CEOs, board members and senior leaders from across the engineering ecosystem.
“Consult Australia’s member businesses have demonstrated that sustained leadership can deliver real progress on gender balance in engineering,” says Consult Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Cartledge.
“Women make up 36% of the total workforce across Consult Australia Champions of Change members, compared to the national industry average of 29%. The opportunity now is to scale those lessons beyond individual organisations.
“Addressing Australia’s engineering workforce challenges requires coordinated action across education, professional development, workplaces and government. This partnership brings the right leaders together to tackle the system, not just the symptoms.”
Romilly Madew AO Chief Executive Officer, Engineers Australia (pictured) adds: “While attracting more women into engineering is critical, we must also address the barriers to entry to the profession and workforce hurdles that see many leave mid-career. This grant will help propel action to change direction and in doing so, help meet Australia’s future workforce needs.”
The project builds on Champions of Change’s 15+ years of experience advancing gender equality and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
It will adapt tested Champions of Change strategies and resources for the engineering profession, including inclusive work design and AI, leadership accountability, everyday respect, sponsorship and inclusive career pathways.
“Engineering remains one of the tough spots for workplace gender equality,” Julie Bissinella, Chief Executive Officer of Champions of Change Coalition notes.
“We’ve demonstrated that our methodology can accelerate change in male-dominated sectors and look forward to working with Engineers Australia, our Consult Australia Champions of Change Group and broader network to support the organisational and national priorities that depend on these essential skills.”
Learn more about the Champions of Change Engineers Group.