STEM Equity Monitor

Topics

Publisher

Department of Industry, Science and Resources

The STEM Equity Monitor is a national data resource on women and other diverse groups in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The monitor reports the current state of STEM equity in Australia and measures changes and trends.

We follow the participation of girls, women and other diverse groups in STEM through school, higher education, graduation and the workforce. The interactive data lets you explore an area of interest or browse data across different stages of the STEM pathway.

Primary and secondary school data

Confidence, interest and skills in STEM start at a young age. Many factors influence girls’ and other diverse peoples’ perceptions and attitudes to STEM.

See how these early perceptions differ between groups, including whether young people are motivated to take STEM subjects and aspire towards a STEM career.

Parents’ perceptions and attitudes to STEM

Explore how parents’ perceptions and attitudes to STEM influence young people's education and career choices.
Teachers' and career advisers' perceptions and attitudes to STEM

Explore how educators’ perceptions and attitudes to STEM influence young people’s education and career decisions.
Youth perceptions and attitudes to STEM

Explore young people’s awareness and perceptions of STEM subjects and careers.
Perceptions and attitudes to STEM among gender diverse youth

Explore young gender diverse people’s awareness and perceptions of STEM subjects and careers.
Australian assessment scores

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment to see how each child is progressing against Australian literacy and numeracy standards over time.
International assessment scores

The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests 15-year-old students from around the world in science, mathematics and reading.
Year 12 subject enrolment in STEM and other fields

Australian schools education data looks at enrolments for students by gender and field of education.

Higher education data

Students who study STEM at primary and secondary school may continue studying through university or vocational education and training (VET). Tracking enrolments and completions at these levels identifies underrepresentation of women and people from diverse groups as they develop their skills and start STEM careers.

University enrolment and completion in STEM and other fields

Explore enrolment and completion rates of university students by field of education.
Vocational education and training enrolment and completion in STEM and other fields

Explore enrolment and completion rates of VET students by field of education.

Graduate outcomes data

Many factors impact graduates’ transition into the workforce over their first 10 years post qualification. STEM graduates’ work and life circumstances can help or hinder their progress.

Learn about the pathways women and people from diverse groups take towards STEM professions in their early careers.

University graduate outcomes for STEM and other fields

University graduates with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications report on outcomes after completing their education.
Vocational education and training graduate outcomes for STEM and other fields

Graduates with vocational education and training (VET) qualifications report on their employment and income outcomes.
Occupation, industry and income outcomes for graduates of STEM and other fields

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data follows a cohort of graduates with a university qualification in 2011.
Occupation outcomes for graduates of STEM and other fields, by diversity groups

Understanding the multiple barriers underrepresented groups face, and how they interact, is important in supporting current and future STEM graduates.
Caring and domestic responsibilities among graduates of STEM and other fields

An important factor for attraction and retention in the workforce is work-life balance.
Further study by graduates and its impact on career outcomes

Explore the further study and career choices of 161,000 people who graduated university in 2011.
Careers breaks among STEM graduates

Explore the impacts of career breaks for further study, the arrival of a child, or a period of unemployment or very low income.

Workforce data

STEM skills are important in many industries and roles. This data looks at representation of women and people from diverse groups across the STEM workforce, including in leadership positions. You can also find data on the gender pay gap and gender equity policies.

STEM-qualified occupations by diversity groups

Explore linked Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) data for diversity groups over years.
Detailed STEM-qualified occupations by gender

Australia’s Labour Force Survey reports how many women and men work in occupations each year.
Teaching and research workforce in STEM and other fields

Explore the composition of Australia's teaching and research staff.
Gender equity in research funding outcomes in STEM and other fields

Explore success rates for women and men researchers in STEM and other fields.
STEM in the Australian Public Service workforce

STEM plays an important part in the Australian Public Service across a variety of STEM and non‑STEM roles.
Workforce and gender equality policies in STEM and other industries

Explore gender equity indicators for organisations in all sectors, including STEM-qualified industries.
Gender pay gaps in STEM and other industries

Every year the Workplace Gender Equality Agency reports on 6 Gender Equality Indicators for private sector employers with 100 or more employees across 19 industries.

Data in focus

In-depth analysis of specific topics.

Diversity in STEM insights from the 2021 Census

Download the data summary report

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2025 [pdf 6.47 MB]

Latest news

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Our methodology

Read about how we define STEM and compile the data behind this report.

We publish new data every year to provide an evidence base over 10 years.

Previous reports

Download the previous years’ data summary reports for the STEM Equity Monitor

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2024 [pdf 1.40 MB]

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2023 [pdf 1.14 MB]

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2022 [pdf 974 KB]

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2021 [pdf 953 KB]

STEM Equity Monitor data summary report 2020 [pdf 1,024 KB]

Supporting reports

More information

Diversity in STEM review

The review aims to find ways to improve diversity in STEM.
Advancing Women in STEM

This strategy sets out the Australian Government’s commitment to increasing gender equity in STEM. It includes the 2020 Action Plan.
Women in STEM Decadal Plan

Developed by the Australian Academy of Science and Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, this plan outlines how the STEM sector can address gender equity up to 2030.