North Queensland, Australia. For decades, Australia’s construction and trade industries have been dominated by men. But a quiet revolution is underway in North Queensland, and the numbers speak for themselves. The proportion of women training in trades at TAFE has grown from 7.6 per cent in 2020/21 to 12.3 per cent in 2024/25.
That might not sound like a seismic shift. Yet in an industry where female representation has stubbornly hovered in the single digits for generations, this jump represents thousands of women making bold career moves and a growing recognition that building and construction need them.
From Warning Signs to Progress
When the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce (CICT) released its landmark report in 2025, one of the sharpest warnings was about gender. The report concluded that the lack of women in construction wasn’t simply an equity problem, it was a productivity problem. By shutting out half the population, the industry was losing talent, skills, and fresh perspectives.
North Queensland’s TAFE campuses appear to have taken that message seriously. Over the past four years, they’ve worked to make trades more accessible, more welcoming, and more attractive to women. And the results are now showing in enrolment figures.
What’s Driving the Change
Several factors have combined to turn the dial:
- Targeted outreach and visibility
Schools, TAFE career days, and industry campaigns are actively encouraging girls to “have a go” at trades, showcasing role models and breaking down stereotypes. - Tailored programs and scholarships
Initiatives supporting women entering male-dominated trades from fee support to mentorship networks are reducing barriers to entry. - Industry demand
With skills shortages biting across Queensland, builders and employers are increasingly open to, and supportive of, diversifying their workforce. - Cultural change on campus
TAFE has been working to create more inclusive classrooms and workshops, ensuring female students feel supported and respected.
One local training coordinator put it bluntly: “The biggest change is confidence. Women now see trades as careers they can pursue and succeed in.”
The Human Face of Progress
Behind the numbers are individual stories.
Take Sophie, a 19-year-old from Townsville, who is midway through her carpentry apprenticeship. She originally considered nursing but chose carpentry after a school-based pre-apprenticeship course. “I love working with my hands, I love seeing something I’ve built take shape,” she says. “At first I thought I’d be the only girl. Now there are three of us in the workshop, and it feels normal.”
Or Marcia, a 34-year-old single mum retraining in electrical. “For me, it was about stability and pay. Trades offer that. The support at TAFE has been fantastic — I feel like I’m part of something bigger.”
These stories matter, because they show that the rising percentage isn’t just a figure — it represents lives, choices, and futures opening up.
Why It Matters for the Industry
Australia’s construction sector is facing one of the worst labour shortages in decades. The Master Builders Association estimates that half a million extra workers will be needed nationally by 2026 to keep pace with housing and infrastructure demand.
Tapping into under-represented groups, particularly women, is no longer optional — it’s critical.
Research also shows diverse teams deliver stronger outcomes. Sites with more women often report:
- Better safety records
- Improved communication and teamwork
- Lower staff turnover
- Higher innovation and problem-solving
In short, building a more inclusive workforce is not just good for equity it’s good for business.
North Queensland as a Case Study
The rise from 7.6 to 12.3 per cent is a local story with national implications. If a region like North Queensland, with its strong tradition of male-dominated trades, can lift the dial significantly in just four years, what could be achieved nationwide with coordinated effort?
It also demonstrates the power of local training institutions like TAFE. By partnering with schools, employers, unions, and government, they’ve proven they can shift the culture and open doors.
As one TAFE director explained: “Every extra percentage point represents dozens of new women apprentices on job sites. That changes culture, that changes expectations, and it creates momentum.”
Challenges Still Ahead
The progress is real — but so are the hurdles. Women remain only a fraction of the trade workforce, and national averages are still stuck below 5 per cent for many core trades like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical.
Retention is also a major issue. While more women are enrolling, too many still leave before completing their apprenticeships, citing unsupportive workplaces or lack of flexibility.
Facilities, site culture, and long hours remain barriers that the industry must continue to address. As the CICT report stressed, enrolment is just the beginning — genuine inclusion and long-term career pathways are the true measure of success.
Building on the Momentum
To keep this positive trend going, experts point to several key levers:
- Role Models and Mentors
More visibility of successful tradeswomen to inspire the next generation. - Inclusive Workplaces
From PPE designed for women to anti-harassment policies, sites must adapt. - Flexible Pathways
Training and apprenticeships that accommodate parents, carers, and career-changers. - Government and Industry Leadership
Targets, incentives, and procurement policies that reward diverse teams. - Community Awareness
Challenging stereotypes and encouraging girls to consider trades from an early age.
A Glass More Than Half Full
For years, the conversation about women in trades has been framed around what’s lacking. The North Queensland TAFE numbers flip that script. They show what’s possible when effort, focus, and collaboration align.
Yes, 12.3 per cent is still a long way from parity. But compared to where the industry has been, it’s a leap forward — and a reason for optimism.
Every new apprentice, every qualified tradeswoman, chips away at old barriers and sets new expectations. And with each passing year, the sight of women in high-vis on worksites across Queensland feels less like a novelty, and more like the new normal.
The construction industry in Australia has a long road ahead when it comes to gender equality. But the story in North Queensland is proof that progress is possible — and happening faster than many thought.
The rise from 7.6 to 12.3 per cent isn’t just a number. It’s evidence that change is real, that cultural shifts are underway, and that women are seizing opportunities in trades like never before.
For an industry crying out for skilled workers, this is good news. For women looking to build solid, rewarding careers, it’s even better. And for the future of construction, it’s a sign that the walls of exclusion are finally starting to come down.
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