The Albanese government has finally responded officially to the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review handed to them 19 months ago, although the review’s chair, still sees major gaps, despite a pledge to adopt all 11 recommendations.
It also comes 8 months after the former minister Ed Husic said in March, ahead of the election, that the government would back the whole report
Their recommendations spanned four key areas: government coordination and leadership; creating safe and inclusive workplaces; lifelong learning; and changing perceptions and valuing diverse knowledge.
The nearly 3000-word statement reiterates much of the 2023 review, chaired by former Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams, alongside Mikaela Jade and Dr Parwinder Kaur, and then retrofitted existing programs and projects as proof of its efforts, although some, such as Superstars of STEM, were instigated by the former Coalition government.
“The government is committed to meaningful reform and is approaching the review’s findings with a focus on long-term impact,” the statement said.
“Support for an equitable and inclusive STEM-skilled future is embedded throughout the government’s agenda, including in major education and skills reforms.”
The response includes an additional $700,000 over six years to STEM Equity Monitor to collect better data, across more diversity cohorts, and to monitor for change.
Williams described the statement as “comprehensive” but said it still has missing pieces.
“The acceptance, in principle, of many of the Review’s 11 recommendations is a critical first step in achieving the systemic and cultural change Australia’s STEM sector desperately needs,” she said.
“The commitment to hold grant recipients and suppliers accountable for safe and inclusive workplaces (Recommendation 5) is particularly powerful, ensuring public funds only support organisations dedicated to eliminating bullying and discrimination.
“I also applaud the major new steps to elevate First Nations Knowledges (Rec 10), notably the new $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize, and the initiatives to streamline pathways for skilled migrants (Rec 6).”
However, the response must now address the structural and cultural architecture required for long-term, coordinated success, the STEM review chair added.
“The most critical gap remains the lack of commitment to an overarching, whole-of-government long-term strategy and to establish a dedicated Advisory Council (Rec 1),” Williams said.
“Without a strategy and a central coordinating body with expert advisors to draw from, the existing and newly funded programs risk remaining fragmented, diluting their collective impact, and failing to effectively address intersectionality—the overlapping barriers faced by diverse cohorts.”
A formal, national Communication and Outreach Strategy (Rec 11) is still missing, Williams said.
“We must coordinate efforts to actively shift the ingrained public perception of who belongs in STEM and clearly communicate the breadth of career pathways available.”
The review chair said industry and academia also needs to meet the government’s commitment “with equal urgency”.
“Accountability is mandatory: every STEM employer must immediately stop viewing safety and inclusion as optional compliance,” Williams said
“They must adopt transparent, measurable action plans—like the Workplace Action Framework (Rec 4)—to proactively attract, retain, and promote diverse talent.”
Business must also invest in cultural transformation at every level – Recommendation 3 – so diverse individuals can remain and thrive in safe working environments, Williams concluded.
“The onus is now on all of us to ensure the spirit of this Review translates into a thriving, diverse, and world-leading Australian STEM sector.”
The full statement is here.
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