Science Minister Ed Husic has ordered a review of federal programs to encourage women into science and technologies.

After spending $100 million over the past decade, there has been little to no improvements in diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector.

Women still face widespread job insecurity, sexism, low workplace morale, fatigue, a growing gender pay gap, dissatisfactory remuneration, low levels of seniority and cost-cutting.

“Women remain chronically under-represented in STEM, making up only 16 per cent of people with STEM qualifications. Of First Nations people, only 6 per cent hold such qualifications,” Mr Husic said this week.

“Renewed effort is required to address this problem and meet the growing demand for workers in the tech and science sectors.”

Women make up just 36 per cent of STEM university enrolments and a substantial gender pay gap faces them when they do find a job.  Women with a master’s level qualification in computing and information systems earned just $82,000 in 2019, which was $19,000 less than men.

Australian Academy of Science chief Anna Maria Arabia says the review is timely.

“In 2019, when we wrote a decadal plan on how to strengthen participation of women in STEM, we found there were 300-plus women-in-STEM initiatives at that time, and only three had been formally evaluated,” Ms Arabia said.

Australia’s Chief Scientist Cathy Foley says many of the cultural and gender bias issues in the sector are a result of a lack of representation of women.

“But this is more than just about representation,” Dr Foley said. 

“Getting the settings right for women and for other groups in our community is about equity. It will also ensure we can fill the skills gaps in industries set to shape Australia over the next two decades, by making use of our full human potential.”

The review will examine federally-funded government programs for their impact on the diversity of the STEM workforce.

“We need the modern workforce to reflect modern Australia,” Mr Husic said.

“It is vital we broaden participation from under-represented groups in the technology sector. This isn’t just a fair idea, it’s a clever idea. Diverse research teams and diverse companies are high-achieving.”