2024 Board Diversity Index

91%

of directors are from Anglo-Celtic backgrounds. Cultural diversity has stalled.

​19%

of female directors hold 45% 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 fifth year that Watermark Search International has partnered with Governance Institute of Australia
to bring you the Index, which both organisations hope will further encourage diverse boards across all types of organisations.

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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 second year we have also analysed:

🔹 First Nations

🔹 LGBTQ+

🔹 Disability

🔹 Socioeconomic background

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.

• ​The West Australian - 'Stale, pale and male': boardroom diversity stalls

• SBS News Updates - Midday News Bulletin

• ABC News Interview with Peter Ryan OAM

• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) LinkedIn

• Business News (WA) - Noel Pearson makes it five

• ​Women's Agenda - Advocates call out “disappointingly low” cultural diversity on ASX 300 boards

• Business News Australia - Female representation on ASX300 boards up slightly while LGBTQ+ numbers jump from low base

• 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