Women made up 23 per cent of Queensland’s resources sector workforce last financial year, a jump on the 2022-23 total of 22.1 per cent.

The new high was revealed in data released during the 2025 Resources Awards for Women event in Brisbane today.

Related: Resources Awards for Women winners revealed

Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) co-chair Sally Rayner said the state’s resources sector was employing more women than the national industry average, as well as attracting a younger workforce. 

“In 2023-24, 8681 women benefitted from well-paying jobs and career development in our state’s mining and energy companies, and we hope that number continues to grow,” Ms Rayner said. 

“More than 40 per cent of those women were 34 years or younger in 2023-24, an increase on the 38 per cent reported in the previous year and well above the 32 per cent reported in the wider Australian mining workforce.  

“The latest data also showed 20 per cent of women in the Queensland resources sector were 50 or over, well below the 26 per cent reported in mining nationally.”

The new Queensland Resources Council diversity data showed more than 91 per cent of the female resources workforce were employed in non-administrative positions in 2023-24.

The proportion of women in:   

• Executive management teams increased to 28.1 per cent, up from 26.1 per cent in 2022-23.  
• Senior management increased to 27.4 per cent, up from 25.5 per cent in 2022-23.  
• Superintendent roles increased to 20 per cent, up from 18.7 per cent in 2022-23. 
• Women in operator and production roles increased to 17.1 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent

“This year’s record results are outstanding, and I hope they inspire any woman considering a job in the mining and energy sector to dive right in,” QRC chief executive Janette Hewson said. 

“It’s incredible to see the 610 per cent increase in the number of women in trade roles over the past decade, a clear sign our industry is more diverse and inclusive in its attraction, recruitment and retention programs. 

“The data is solid proof that our members’ efforts to make the Queensland resources sector a fair and inclusive sector that reflects the diversity of our communities are having an impact. 

“But we cannot stop here. There are many compelling reasons for companies to recruit even more women into roles into the future. 

“More diverse workplaces are safer, more productive and more positive working environments for everyone. This frequently leads to stronger overall performance and increased staff retention, which is significant for a sector like ours struggling with skilled worker shortages.”