Women in STEM presence increases

The Australian Government’s 2021 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) equity monitor shows that the number of women in STEM roles has increased by 4 per cent since 2016.

Women now account for 28 per cent of the country’s STEM workers, however Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said more work must be done.

According to the STEM equity monitor, women accounted for 139,466 STEM roles in 2009, compared with 205,427 in 2020.

Women accounted for 13 per cent of STEM occupations in 2020.

“Australian industry and innovation rely on a flourishing STEM workforce, which is why the Australian Government is committed to further increasing women’s participation and creating more opportunities to thrive in the sector,” Porter said.

“To date the Australian Government has committed more than $100 million in funding to increasing women’s participation in STEM and entrepreneurship, through activities such as the Women in STEM Ambassador initiative, the Girls in STEM Toolkit, and the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants.”

The Australian Government’s STEM Equity Monitor uses data to deliver a comprehensive and interactive view of girls’ and women’s STEM participation.

The monitor is part of the Australian Government’s Advancing Women in STEM 2020 Action Plan, which encourages more women to enter the STEM workforce.

In 2019, women comprised of 36 per cent of Australian University STEM enrolments, which is the highest proportion since at least 2015.

“The STEM Equity Monitor allows us to measure and understand the impact of our investments, and make sure we’re travelling in the right direction to achieve gender equity across STEM in the long term.

“These results from the STEM Equity Monitor, another year on, give us a tool to see trends and measure if our programs are working in bringing more women into STEM study and the STEM workforce.”

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