New data from LinkedIn shows levels have dropped by 8% in Australia
The rate of women hired into leadership positions in Australia is back down to 2020 levels, according to new data from LinkedIn.
The change is in line with the global trend where it has slowed for the third year in a row, which could have the potential to hamper their progression in the workplace when considering the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
It has been found that women hold less than a third of vice president or C-Suite roles (28%) despite making up almost half of the workforce (41.2%) – this is most pronounced in STEM industries with around one in ten C-Suite positions being held by women (12%).
The leading work-based social media site warns this should ring “alarm bells” for countries like Australia who are experiencing challenges with productivity and a tight labour market – as women are more likely to have the relevant skills to deal with utilising AI in the workplace.
Shutting women out of leadership has been marked as not just a gender issue, but an economic one, because of AI’s ability to add value to workplaces.
University of Adeleide research – quoted by LinkedIn - shows it could add $200 billion per year to Australia’s economy, with women more likely to possess non-linear “multi-domain” career paths, giving them greater skills development that are uniquely positioned to navigate, and lead in, the AI economy.
“Women are also often more likely to hold other uniquely human skills which will be essential to making the AI transition happen like communication, teamwork, and creativity,” the report states.
To combat this, LinkedIn are calling on governments and businesses to promote hiring based on skills rather than qualifications – to ensure women won’t get left behind as many transition to using AI, which could broaden the talent pool for women by over six times globally.
It found women of all ages are being disadvantaged, with data suggesting the trend becomes more apparent with age – only one in five of the Baby Boomer C-Suites have women in, with just under two in five among Millennial leaders (39.8%).
Audrey Lobo-Pulo, Head of Public Policy & Economic Graph, Australia & New Zealand at LinkedIn, said:
"As we enter this transformative era of AI, sidelining half of the country’s talent pool risks stalling growth, innovation, and productivity. Aussie women are distinctly positioned on not just the national business landscape, but on the global stage. Their multidomain experience makes them uniquely equipped to lead in this new era — yet their representation in leadership continues to decline. They are almost twice as likely as men globally, to bring this kind of expertise.”
We’ve seen how Aussie businesses are at the forefront of leveraging AI, and it also can foster more inclusive hiring practices and equitable career growth for women. AI has the potential to counter biases and highlight the diverse skills and experiences that women bring to the table.”
"By adopting AI-driven, skills-based hiring, businesses can broaden their talent pool and ensure that women are not just participants - but leaders - in the AI economy. This is not merely an equality issue; it is an economic imperative. Women’s unique career paths and adaptive leadership styles are what our evolving economy needs.”
