Female leaders on ASX 200 boards hit record high
The latest Financy Women’s Index (FWX) has seen a record proportion of women appointed to ASX 200 boards in the March quarter, marking “significant” strides towards gender equality.
Over the three months to 31 March, the index – which tracks time frames for achieving economic gender equality in Australia – rose from 77.53 points in the December quarter to 77.92 points out of 100.
Meanwhile, the FWX ASX 200 leadership sub-index rose from 75.4 points in the previous quarter to 76.8 points. Underpinning this, according to Financy, was the March quarter delivering the highest increase in women occupying board positions at ASX 200 companies. Namely, this rose 2 per cent to a record high of 38.4 per cent.
As a result, gender equality on ASX 200 boards is now estimated to be 4.9 years away, an improvement from 5.3 years a year ago and the shortest time frame on any of the seven FWX sub-index areas.
“These results show that Australia is on track to reach equality on ASX 200 boards by 2030 – a historic milestone for gender equality as one of the first widely campaigned and actioned areas closes in on parity,” said Bianca Hartge-Hazelman, founder of Financy.
The ASX 300 also has 37 per cent women represented on its boards, a near-twofold increase over the past decade from 399 seats in 2016 to 781 in 2025.
Female employment growth, measured by monthly hours worked and working age population, also strengthened in the March quarter with a 0.2 per cent gain. In comparison, male employment growth fell by 1 per cent.
This prompted an improvement for the FWX employment sub-index – which represents the gender gap in monthly hours worked – from 73.5 points to 74.4 points.
Moreover, female underemployment decreased to 7.21 per cent in March, compared to 7.3 per cent in December, indicating a greater number of women are achieving their desired work hours.
While these figures signify positive strides for gender equality, Financy recognised the many challenges that still exist in reaching this outcome.
“The latest Financy Women’s Index shows welcome further progress towards gender financial equity. But there is still a long way to go and the US experience, with its backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion, highlights that we can’t be complacent,” said Shane Oliver, AMP’s chief economist, who sits on the FWX advisory committee.
As such, Financy proposed an evidence-based wish list for Labor’s next term, which aims to accelerate progress and ensure lasting change. This includes actions such as engaging men in gender equality, closing the gap gap, and expanding parental leave.
AUTHOR
Jasmine Siljic
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