Despite over $200 million in government investment since 2019, minority representation in Australian construction leadership remains alarmingly low, according to a new report from EPIC Group.
The report, Government Funding in Construction: A Critical Analysis of Impact vs Intent, highlights a major disconnect between funding initiatives and actual outcomes. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency's 2023 data reveals that women make up just 12.7% of the construction workforce, an increase of less than 3% over the past decade despite significant investment in diversity programs.
Beyond gender, Indigenous Australians and culturally diverse professionals remain underrepresented in leadership, limiting the industry's ability to foster innovation and drive inclusive decision-making.
"Diversity in construction leadership isn't just about ticking boxes or meeting quotas, it's about ensuring the industry reflects the communities it serves," said Angela Hucker, CEO and Founder of EPIC Group. "The reality is, that companies with diverse leadership teams make better decisions, improve communication, and drive stronger project outcomes. But without structural change, we're not going to see real progress."
Bridging the Leadership Gap Through Industry-Led Solutions
The lack of diversity in Australian construction leadership is driven by systemic barriers, including limited access to mentorship, fewer networking opportunities, and persistent hiring biases. While government programs such as the Women in Construction Strategy and Building Equality Policy have been introduced, their impact has been difficult to measure due to funding limitations and unclear long-term accountability.
A case study from the Western Sydney Construction Hub highlights these challenges. A $1.2 million mentorship program launched in 2023 aimed to support 200 women entering the industry, but by the end of the year, only 28 completed the program.
"While government initiatives are important, we have seen real progress being driven by the industry itself," said Leon Ward, Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand at PlanRadar. "Companies are taking proactive steps to create structured leadership pipelines, invest in mentorship, and adopt technology that makes the workplace more accessible and inclusive. The businesses that embrace these changes are building stronger teams and setting themselves up for long-term success."
The Industry is Leading the Charge
With government initiatives struggling to deliver long-term results, industry-driven programs are proving to be key enablers of leadership diversity.
Structured mentorship initiatives led by AWIC and EPIC Group are helping women and minority professionals gain career development opportunities.
Technology-driven inclusivity powered by PlanRadar's digital solutions is creating more flexible working environments, making leadership roles more accessible.
Targeted leadership training is preparing women and minority professionals for executive positions, ensuring career progression beyond entry-level roles.
PlanRadar is actively working alongside EPIC Group, Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC), and the Australian Institute of Building to drive meaningful change through mentorship, technology adoption, and leadership training.
"We've seen firsthand how diverse leadership teams create stronger businesses," said Ward. "Companies that prioritise diversity are improving workplace culture and delivering better projects, solving problems faster, and driving stronger financial performance. That's why we're committed to supporting initiatives that create real career pathways for underrepresented groups."
AWIC has set an ambitious goal to increase female representation in construction from 15% in 2024 to 40% by 2040, showing how industry collaboration and investment in mentorship, structured training, and leadership development can lead to measurable progress.
Key Recommendations for Progress
The EPIC Group report outlines several critical recommendations for strengthening minority representation in construction leadership:
Diversity-Focused Hiring & Promotions: Actively recruit women and culturally diverse professionals into leadership roles.
Executive Accountability: Establish clear diversity goals and reporting metrics to track company progress.
Leadership Development & Mentorship Programs: Provide structured training, mentorship opportunities, and networking to support career progression.
Incentives for Diversity-Driven Companies: Introduce financial rewards or government-backed recognition for companies that successfully increase minority representation in leadership.
Why Investing in Leadership Diversity Matters
Companies that embrace leadership diversity gain clear business advantages, including:
Stronger decision-making with diverse perspectives driving more innovative problem-solving.
Higher employee retention, as inclusive workplaces foster greater job satisfaction and engagement.
Improved industry resilience, as diverse teams adapt better to market shifts and industry challenges.
"The research is clear. Companies with diverse leadership outperform their competitors," added Hucker. "Every construction company in Australia has an opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive future. The ones that act now will gain a competitive edge in attracting talent and delivering innovative solutions."
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About PlanRadar
PlanRadar is an award-winning, digital SaaS platform for documentation, communication and reporting in construction, facility management and real estate projects. The platform operates across the globe, currently in over 75 markets. PlanRadar streamlines daily processes and communication in an easy-to-use digital platform that connects all project stakeholders and provides real-time access to valuable project data.
PlanRadar enables customers to work more efficiently, enhance quality and achieve full project transparency. The platform adds value to every person involved in a building's lifecycle, from contractors and engineers to property managers and owners, with flexible capabilities for all company sizes and processes.
Today, over 170,000 professionals are using PlanRadar to track, connect and solve issues on and off-site. PlanRadar is currently available in more than 25 languages and can be used across all iOS, Windows and Android devices. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, PlanRadar has 13 offices across the globe.
