Member Thought Leadership
The 2026 Board Diversity Index shows that Australian boards are nearing a milestone on gender representation, with women now holding 38% of ASX 300 board seats and only four all-male boards remaining. But that progress masks a much weaker picture across other dimensions of diversity, with cultural representation slipping and very low visible representation of LGBTQ+, First Nations, and disabled directors. The report suggests that board diversity is advancing unevenly, with gains in gender not yet translating into broader inclusion across the full board talent landscape. Its broader message is that real board effectiveness depends not just on representation gains, but on widening the range of perspectives present in boardrooms.
