Growing Equity in Maritime Leadership​

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Growing Equity in Maritime Leadership​

This project aims to increase opportunities for women, First Nations people and underrepresented groups to join and advance within Australia’s maritime workforce, particularly in high demand and leadership roles.

Completion due 31 October 2027
About the project

Project overview

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) identified in the 2025 Maritime Workforce Plan that the Australian maritime industry continues to face challenges attracting and retaining women, and other underrepresented groups, particularly in technical and leadership roles. This includes First Nations people in Deck and Engineer officer training pathways in the STCW maritime workforce.  

The project also supports the Closing the Gap target to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-34 years who have completed a Certificate III or higher qualification to 70 per cent by 2031.  

The Growing Equity in Maritime Leadership project aims to support a more diverse, sustainable and inclusive maritime workforce by identifying practical actions that improve attraction, participation, progression and retention across the sector. 

While equal opportunities principles are embedded in Australian policy and legislation, representation across maritime leadership and technical occupations remains limited. This creates ongoing challenges for workforce sustainability and future industry capability. 

Through national consultation and collaboration with industry, government, unions, regulators, training providers and community stakeholders, the project will identify barriers to participation and advancement and steward the development of practical, industry led solutions. 

The project will develop a national Growing Equity in Maritime Leadership Action Plan and Implementation Framework designed to strengthen workforce pathways and support long term capability across the Australian maritime sector. 

Why this matters

What it means for industry

Australia’s maritime industry is facing increasing workforce pressures driven by an ageing workforce, growing demand for technical skills and the future requirements associated with the Strategic Fleet. Strengthening workforce participation and leadership diversity is essential to ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Women and First Nations people remain underrepresented across many maritime occupations, particularly in technical and leadership roles. This limits workforce supply, reduces capability, and restricts access to broader skills and perspectives that support innovation and resilience. 

This project will support industry by identifying practical actions to improve attraction, retention, and career progression.  

Improved workforce equity and participation have the potential to: 

  • Increase workforce participation across high demand maritime occupations 
  • Improve attraction and retention outcomes across the sector 
  • Strengthen leadership diversity and workforce capability 
  • Support sustainable workforce pipelines for future demand 
  • Improve access to maritime career pathways and progression opportunities 
  • Encourage stronger collaboration and inclusive workplace practices 

Ultimately, the project aims to help build a more inclusive, capable and future ready maritime workforce that reflects the diversity of the Australian Community. 

Project

Deliverables

This project will deliver a national Growing Equity in Maritime Leadership Action Plan and Implementation Framework designed to support practical and sustainable workforce equity outcomes. 
The Action Plan will include: 

  • Identification of key barriers impacting participation and progression for women, First Nations people and other underrepresented groups 
  • Practical industry focused recommendations and actions to improve workforce attraction, retention and advancement, including increasing visibility of initiatives already underway 
  • A validated sector-led implementation framework developed through stakeholder consultation and engagement to support practical and scalable workforce outcomes. 

How this will be achieved 

The project will be delivered through:  

  • National stakeholder consultation and engagement with industry, government, unions, regulators, training providers and community groups. 
  • Research and analysis of relevant equity initiatives in Australia and internationally 
  • Industry workshops, focus groups and targeted discussions, including with subject matter experts 
  • Codesign and validation of proposed actions and implementation approaches with key stakeholders