Continuing our Progress

Women on Boards Strategy 2020-25 cover

The Tasmanian Government is committed to increasing diversity and the representation of women on Tasmanian Government boards and committees.

On 22 November 2020, the Tasmanian Government released the ‘Women on Boards Strategy 2020-2025: Continuing our progress’. The Strategy builds upon the progress made under the ‘Women on Boards Strategy 2015-2020’, with a refreshed set of actions to deliver the target of 50 per cent representation of women across Government boards and committees.

The Strategy includes practical actions across four focus areas:

  • Strengthen pathways;
  • Create contemporary systems and processes;
  • Influence change; and
  • Monitor equity.

As at 30 June 2020, women held 46.4 per cent of positions on all Government boards and committees. This is an increase of 12.6 per cent since the release of the first ‘Women on Boards Strategy 2015-2020’ in 2015, when 33.8 per cent of all board positions were held by women.

Women on Boards Strategy 2020-2025

Open the Women on Boards Strategy 2020-2025: Continuing our Progress:

Increasing Women's participation on Boards and Committees

On 1 July 2015, the Tasmanian Government released the Women on Boards Strategy 2015-20: A Five-Year Plan for Improving Gender Equity on Tasmanian Government Boards and Committees.

The Strategy outlined actions for increasing women’s participation on government boards and committees. It also complemented the Tasmanian Women’s Strategy 2018-21 and helped break down the barriers that produce inequities for women and girls.

Tasmanian Women's Register

The Tasmanian Women’s Register is a secure database of women who have indicated an interest in being appointed to Government boards and committees. The Register is administered by Communities, Sport and Recreation (CSR) in the Department of Communities Tasmania.

The Register is maintained in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. You may add or remove your name from the register or amend your details any time by emailing womens.register@communities.tas.gov.au

Agencies undertaking board and committee vacancies should consult with the Women’s Register officer by phoning:

  • (03) 6165 8388; or
  • Toll free 1800 009 501

Email position details to: womens.register@communities.tas.gov.au

Use of the Register will be noted by Cabinet as part of the Appointment briefings process.

Tasmanian Women's Register Certificate Form

This Certification Form is to be included with a Cabinet Brief for all appointments to Tasmanian Government boards and committees. It should provide an explanation of the actions taken to identify suitably qualified and experienced women for appointment, including a search of the Tasmanian Women’s Register.

Download and complete the Tasmanian Women's Register Certificate Form (MS Word, 31.13KB).

Other State and Territory Government board registers

Women on State Sporting Organisation Boards

Communities, Sport and Recreation (CSR) is committed to providing leadership to the Tasmanian sporting sector in the key area of governance. Through the provision of resources, CSR supports the sector to implement governance structures that promote diversity in senior roles of sports governance. CSR is committed to monitoring female representation on State Sporting Organisation boards as a baseline measure of diversity in the sector.

Board Diversity Scholarships

The Tasmanian Governments Communities Tasmania - Women's Leadership Scholarships: Board Diversity Scholarship is a partnership between Tasmanian Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

The Program aims to increase the number of Tasmanian women with the skills needed to serve as a Company Director and as members of government, private and not-for-profit boards and committees.

This year, the Scholarship Program is offering two different courses for both emerging leaders and experienced directors.

The Foundations of Directorship Course (FOD) is designed for new and aspiring directors, senior executives, and managers wanting to gain a foundational knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of boards and directors. Find out more about the FOD course here: Foundations of Directorship AICD

The Company Directors Course (CDC) is tailored for experienced directors wishing to take their performance to the next level, as well as for executives and managers who need to understand governance issues in-depth. Find out more about the CDC here: Company Directors Course AICD

With 87 scholarships awarded to Tasmanian women since 2015, the program is one way the Tasmanian Government is working to further women’s leadership and representation on Government boards and committees, and across the industries critical to our recovery from COVID-19.

This year the program will be delivered by Communities Tasmania, with the AICD providing education and membership only.

Enquiries and requests for further information about this scholarship and accompanying guidelines should be directed to the Contact Officer.

Contact Officer: Rani Cavarretta, (03) 6165 7737 or rani.cavarretta@communities.tas.gov.au.