2025 Board Diversity Index

91.9%

of directors are from Anglo-Celtic backgrounds.

​18%

of female directors hold 43% of female-occupied seats.

82%

of directors are qualified with an undergraduate degree.

​18%

of directors are regarded as non-independent.

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This is the first year that Watermark Search International has partnered with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Deloitte to bring you the Index, and we are very thankful for their partnership and support.

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This is the only national report to put five types of diversity under the microscope, examining:

🔹 Gender

🔹 Cultural Background

🔹 Skills and Experience

🔹 Age

🔹 Tenure and Independence

​This is the third year we have also analysed:

🔹 First Nations

🔹 LGBTQ+

🔹 Disability

This breadth of data allows us to share meaningful analysis of where corporate Australia currently stands on diversity, the direction we are heading in and what else needs to be done.

• ​SBS On the Money | 14 May 2025 | SBS World News | With Ricardo Goncalves.

• ​SBS On the Money Podcast - "Australia's problem with cultural diversity on ASX boards & real wages rise".

• Women's Agenda - "More women on ASX300 boards but cultural diversity stagnates: new index".
  

• ​​Human Resources Director - "Gender diversity progresses but real inclusion still limited in boards: report".

• Mirage News - "Australian Boards See Diversity Gains, Gaps Remain".

• 2024 Board Diversity Index

• 2023 Board Diversity Index

• 2022 Board Diversity Index

• 2021 Board Diversity Index

• 2020 Board Diversity Index

• 2019 Board Diversity Index

• 2018 Board Diversity Index

• 2017 Board Diversity Index

• 2016 Board Diversity Index

• 2015 Board Diversity Index