Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review

The Federal Government has released its Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review final recommendations report, which focuses on the career pathways of traditionally under-represented groups of people into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). These are people who might come from culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse, and First Nations backgrounds, women, LGBTIQ+, people with varying physical or cognitive ability, socio-economic status, rural, regional, or remote residency.

The report found that people from diverse cohorts face additional and often intersecting barriers when in education and training, in the workplace, and entering the workplace. As a result, they cannot pursue their aspirations and interests in STEM in the same way as peers who do not face these challenges.

This report contains eleven recommendations, and cover four main themes, including government coordination and leadership; creating safe and inclusive workplaces; lifelong learning; and changing perceptions and valuing diverse knowledge. The final recommendations include:

1. The Australian Government committing to a whole-of-government, long-term strategy to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM. This includes establishing a dedicated advisory council supported by dedicated government resources.
2. The Australian Government establishing a suite of diversity in STEM programs, as detailed in the Diversity in STEM Program Strategy. This includes embedding best-practice program design elements across programs, making changes to the current Women in STEM program suite, and establishing new programs that address barriers for underrepresented cohorts.
3. Every Australian organisation employing STEM workers committing to the elimination of bullying, harassment and discrimination, including racism; and adopting, making public, and implementing, a plan to increase attraction, retention and promotion of
4. The Australian Government including a focus on STEM in implementing any strategies in response to the 2023 Review of the Migration System.
5. In addition, the Australian Government :

• work with states and territories to improve participation and achievement in STEM skills and subjects in schools.
• Prepar3 and support educators to teach STEM in a way that is responsive to the needs of diverse cohorts.
• work with states and territories to ensure that national tertiary education reforms increase access, participation and attainment of underrepresented cohorts in STEM education.
• develop a communication and outreach strategy to increase awareness, visibility and importance of diversity in STEM to emphasise the opportunities and potential for careers in STEM.

The review complements work already undertaken by the federal government to reduce barriers to a more diverse STEM workforce in Australia, including the 2019 Women in STEM Decadal Plan, developed by the Australian Academy of Science in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering; the establishment of the Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador in 2018; and the Women in STEM initiatives evaluation report delivered in 2023.

Ai Group has long maintained that by reducing barriers to attraction, entry, progression, and retention in STEM occupations and industries, Australia can grow its STEM skilled workforce. This was also a topic of one of webinars on Growing Australia’s STEM Skilled Workforce, which can be viewed here.