Research | Chief Executive Women

Research and Reports

Featured research

Our flagship reports provide critical insights into women's leadership in corporate Australia and guide our advocacy for systemic change.

Annual Census Reports

CEW Senior Executive Census 2025

September 2025

The Pipeline Problem: Ninth annual census revealing critical insights about women's representation in ASX 300 Executive Leadership Teams.

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CEW Senior Executive Census 2024

September 2024

Eighth annual census revealing gender equality stagnation in ASX 300, with calls for urgent action on CEO pipeline development.

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CEW Senior Executive Census 2023

2023

Seventh annual census showing incremental change failing to solve persistent challenges in women's executive representation.

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CEW Senior Executive Census 2022

2022

Sixth annual census expanding scope to ASX 300 companies and introducing gender diversity target tracking.

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CEW Senior Executive Census 2017–2021

2017–2021

Five years of foundational census data tracking ASX 200 companies, establishing the evidence base for advocacy.

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Major Research Reports

Unlocking Leadership: Conversations on Gender and Race in Corporate Australia

July 2023

Partnership with Macquarie Group exploring experiences of culturally and racially diverse women in senior leadership roles, with recommendations for unlocking diverse leadership potential.

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Take It from the Top: Accelerating Women's Representation in Executive Leadership

July 2022

Partnership with Bain & Company examining how Australia's leading organisations foster gender balance on their executive teams.

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Advancing Women's Leadership in STEM

March 2022

Partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) highlighting key actions to advance talented women in STEM leadership roles, based on insights from women leading the way.

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The Merit Trap

Ongoing

CEW and the Champions of Change Coalition working together to identify approaches, put them into practice, and disseminate those that are successful.

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Skills Gaps Analysis

Partnership with Impact Economics and Policy

Illustrating how to address the Australian economy's current and future skills gaps through women's workforce participation.

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Flex for Success: Five Practices That Build a Flexible Workforce

Ongoing

Changes in the workplace that illustrate the value of flexibility and create opportunities for permanent shifts in work practices.

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Policy Submissions & Advocacy

2026 Pre-Budget Submission: Investing in Women's Leadership and Workforce Participation as an Economic Imperative

2026

CEW's submission to the Federal Government calling for investment in women's leadership, economic security, addressing violence, and placing care at the centre of the economy.

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Shaping Tomorrow: CEW's Call to Action for Australia's Next Government

2024

Research-based policy agenda calling for action on women's leadership, economic security and workforce participation.

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Productivity Commission Inquiry: Early Childhood Education and Care

2023

CEW's submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into ECEC, supporting universal access and improved workforce sustainability.

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Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2023

2023

Submission supporting the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023.

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Workplace Gender Equality Procurement Principles

2023

CEW submission to the review of WGEA procurement principles, advocating for strengthened gender equality requirements in government procurement.

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Annual Pre-Budget Submissions

Annual

CEW's ongoing submissions to the Federal Government budget process, advocating for policies that advance women's economic participation and leadership.

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Advocacy & Resource Packs

Advocacy and Resource Pack 2023

2023

Comprehensive policy and advocacy resource pack including Census data, policy recommendations, and practical actions to accelerate progress toward gender equality by 2033.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. CEW celebrates the diversity of First Nations people and their continuing connection to land, water, and community, and acknowledges the strength of First Nations women leading their communities. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are part of the CEW community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.