Gender Equity Works

The Gender Equity Works project  is about creating safer, fairer and more flexible workplaces for everyone.

We’re driving real change through practical tools, targeted training and employer partnerships – all designed to foster more respectful, inclusive and safe workplaces in traditionally male industries across Tasmania.

We’re consulting with workers, unions, health and safety reps and employers in transport, energy/utilities and electrical contracting (construction) to identify the barriers to women’s entry – and to develop practical solutions that help shift the gender balance and open up safe, secure, well-paid jobs to more Tasmanian women.

About the project
Led by Unions Tasmania, Gender Equity Works is funded through the Federal Government's Advancing Gender Equality in Gender Segregated Industries grant program and is supported by the ACTU. Running until March 2026, the project will provide free public access to all materials.

Why it matters
Workplace gender equality benefits everyone. It leads to safer, fairer and more productive environments. But right now, too many Tasmanian industries are missing out on the full talent pool – especially sectors where women remain underrepresented

Gender Equity Works is a project designed to develop the tools Tasmanian workers and employers need to:

• expand workplace flexibility
• address health and safety risks that affect women
• shift workplace culture through WHS-driven change
• lead with clarity and confidence.

What we’re doing

Research & lived experience

We're listening to the voices of women and men in three gender-segregated Tasmanian industries to understand barriers to recruitment and retention, opportunities for change, and what actually works in practice:

• transport
• energy & utilities
• electrical (construction).

Tools that work

The Gender Equity Works toolkit will help workplaces assess where they’re at – and take action with ready-to-use templates, best-practice policies and WHS-aligned strategies.

Training & support

We’re developing an online Gender Equity Works training module that will deliver key information in an accessible format. We’re also developing face-to-face training sessions for

• health and safety representatives
• workplace leaders
• equal workplace advocates.

From quick lunchtime sessions to deeper workshops, these sessions will kickstart important discussions and build skills.

Partnering with workplaces

We’re looking forward to working collaboratively with Tasmanian employers to trial solutions, test new ideas and build workplaces where women want to stay – not just start.

Get involved
We want to hear from:

• women working in, or thinking about working in, the target industries
• employers ready to make a difference
• union delegates, HSRs and workplace leaders with influence.

Want to be part of it?
Throughout 2025 we’ll be inviting your feedback about your experience of gender equity in the transport, electrical (construction) and energy/utilities industries.

• Follow us on Facebook to participate in regular surveys
• Nominate a workplace
• Join our mailing list
• Register your interest in an interview with our research team.