Women in Mining Australia: Celebrating Female Participation in 2026

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Australian women in mining.

To mark International Women’s Day 2026 on the 8th March, we wanted to celebrate the role of women in Australian mining: The engineers, geologists, operators, and leaders reshaping our industry.

Women in mining across Australia now represent a growing, though still underrepresented, share of the workforce, with participation steadily increasing over the past decade.

How Far We’ve Come: Female Participation in Australian Mining Statistics - 2026

According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), female participation in our industry currently sits around 22% of Australia’s mining workforce. 

In other words, women make up approximately 22% of the Australian mining workforce, a figure that has remained relatively consistent in recent reporting and reflects slow but steady progress.

Analysts at AWIMAR (Australian Women In Mining And Resources) cite that women are still vastly underrepresented in the minerals industry with only 11% of females in CEO roles in their 2025 report.  

These participation figures are particularly stark given the industry’s history. Until 1986 in Western Australia, women could be fined heavily for working underground.

AusIMM’s last Women in Mining Survey 2022 put women’s participation in FIFO and DIDO roles at upwards of 22%. (The proportion of FIFO and DIDO workers in the mining sector is estimated at between 20% and 25% of the total mining workforce.)

This data provides an important benchmark when looking at women in mining Australia percentage trends, especially in operational and remote roles.

Encouraging Female Leadership in Mining

Mining is, undoubtedly, still a male-dominated industry.

But work continues to encourage more women into the industry, and to advance opportunities into technical and leadership roles. 

Across Australia, programs like WIMARQ, AusIMM Women in Mining Network, and Women in Mining WA are helping to increase the female percentage of the mining workforce in Australia.

This remains a key focus, particularly in engineering, geology, operations, and site leadership roles.

The Queensland Resources Council has reaffirmed its goal of 30% female workforce participation by 2026, highlighting a growing industry-wide commitment to diversity.

The Organisations Driving Gender Diversity in Mining

Groups like WIMARQ continue to support and encourage women in mining.

In Australia, the Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia (IWIMRA) allows women with First Nations backgrounds to connect, share insights and “identify gaps for career progression and opportunities to improve for Indigenous women."

These organisations play a critical role in improving long-term outcomes for women in the Australian mining workforce, particularly for those early in their careers or returning to site-based roles.

Mining Companies Making Progress on Gender Balance

Many major miners are setting measurable gender goals. For example: 

• BHP has seen its overall female participation grow significantly and is poised for historic leadership shifts in coming years, including the potential for its first female CEO.
• Figures like Hancock Prospecting’s Gina Rinehart continue to advocate for broader participation of women across the sector.

Speaking with Australia’s Mining Monthly about the persistent challenges facing women and men in mining in 2025, Rinehart said, “Work hard, be responsible, find out what skills are needed and develop those skills.” 

She added, “Just show you can contribute and are willing to do so, and let your work and attitude speak for itself.”
These efforts contribute to gradual improvements in the percentage of women in Australia’s mining workforce, particularly at senior and executive levels.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 - Mining events in Australia

International Women’s Day 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate progress and spotlight the inspiring women driving the industry forward.

This year, organisations like AusIMM and Women in Mining WA are hosting events across Australia to share stories, mentorship opportunities, and ideas for the next generation of women in mining.

Explore AusIMM’s Celebrating Women in Mining series for more inspiring stories.

If you’re a woman looking to start or grow your mining career, register with MPI Recruitment today and hear about new opportunities across Australia. 

Whether you’re early in your career, returning to the workforce, or exploring leadership pathways, opportunities for women in mining Australia continue to expand.

With more than 30 years' experience in Australia's mining industry, you're in good hands. 

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