Diversity in STEM

Improving opportunities in STEM

The Australian Government is improving opportunities for all Australians to access and benefit from well-paid jobs in STEM.

This includes:

women and girls
First Nations people
culturally and linguistically diverse people
people from regional and rural areas
people living with disabilities
people facing age-based discrimination
people with low socioeconomic status
LGBTQIA+ people
neurodivergent people.

We aim to attract and retain more people from diverse backgrounds in STEM education and careers. This will help meet the growing demand for STEM workers and pave the way for a Future Made in Australia.

Investments to support diversity in STEM

Read how the government is funding its STEM programs to reach more diverse people.
Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review

The independent panel's recommendations highlighted ways to break down persistent barriers to diversity in STEM education and careers.

Monitoring and increasing diversity in STEM

Our vision is for all Australians to have equal opportunity to learn, work and engage in STEM. We aim to:

enable the participation of underrepresented cohorts through education
increase recruitment and retention of diverse people in STEM careers
make diverse people in STEM more visible.

STEM Equity Monitor

The STEM Equity Monitor is a national data resource on girls’ and women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Explore the monitor

Supporting girls, women and diversity in STEM

Our department delivers and funds a range of programs and initiatives to support girls, women and diverse people to learn, work and engage in STEM.

Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) grants program

The WISE grants program funds long-term projects to help eliminate barriers to women’s participation in STEM. This includes projects to support women who experience multiple barriers, like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from regional and rural locations.

Find out more about WISE grants program on business.gov.au

Science in Australia Gender and Equity (SAGE)

SAGE assesses and accredits the gender equity policies and practices in Australian higher education and research organisations. The Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering founded SAGE.

Find out more on the SAGE website

Superstars of STEM

Superstars of STEM helps raise the profile and visibility of diverse people working in STEM to inspire the next generation. It aims to challenge stereotypes on who can do STEM and what STEM looks like, and offers media training, mentoring and networking. Science and Technology Australia delivers the program.

Find out more on the STA website