About the Gender Equity Committee

The Gender Equity Committee provides advice and support to the AILA Board in response to this report, setting and implementing activity that supports gender equity for the profession. The Committee:

  • Advocates for gender equity within AILA
  • Provides feedback and advice to the Board on the gender equity implications of its policies, plans and services
  • Considers funding and other opportunities as they may arise
  • Provides advice on gender equity issues
  • Identifies areas of potential research
  • Contributes to the promotion of AILA activities that support and promote gender equity

 

TRANSITION TO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE 

Since 2019, AILA’s Gender Equity Committee (GEC) has played a critical role in progressing actions outlined in the Next Steps Report, advancing gender equity in the landscape architecture profession. With initiatives spanning flexible work, career progression, governance, and mentorship, the GEC has delivered substantial outcomes, many of which are now embedded into AILA policy, CPD frameworks, and practice resources. The 2025 Summary Report marks the completion of these actions and offers forward-looking recommendations to guide the next phase of this work.

In line with these recommendations and AILA’s expanded vision, the Gender Equity Committee is now evolving into the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. This committee will support AILA’s strategic goal to foster a more inclusive profession by broadening its focus beyond gender to include race, age, disability, sexuality, neurodivergence, and socio-economic background. The DEI Committee will continue to advocate, advise, and activate—supporting systemic change through policy development, member resources, and collaborative partnerships that champion fairness and representation across the profession.

Read the DEI Policy and the Next Steps Report - Summary 2025 for more information

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is taking a leadership role to ensure the landscape architecture profession is as inclusive, diverse, and equitable as it can possibly be.


The Census Report 2001-2021 – An Overview of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Australian Landscape Architecture Profession key highlights are:

  • Increase in women landscape architects to 48%.
  • Gender pay gap decreased to 7.8%.
  • Women dominate part-time work patterns.
  • Men more likely to own businesses.
  • Full-time participation lower for women.
  • Women stay in the profession longer.
  • Higher graduation rates for women (47.43%).
  • Representation challenges in senior positions.
  • Gender disparity persists in long work hours.

Committee Members

To view a list of our Gender Equity Committee members please visit: National Committees & Working Groups (aila.org.au)

Gender Equity Committee – Summary Report 2025

This summary report reflects on the achievements and progress made by the Gender Equity Committee (GEC) since the release of AILA’s Next Steps Report in 2019. It outlines the actions taken against each original recommendation, marking them as progressed or complete, and provides key insights and recommendations to guide the future work of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Value. The report addresses six key focus areas, including part-time work, long hours culture, career progression, and the gender pay gap, and identifies further opportunities for collaboration, policy development and Practice Notes.

Census Report 2001-2021 – An Overview of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Australian Landscape Architecture Profession

Based on the 2001-2016 Census Report, the Gender Equity Committee incorporated comparison data from the 2021 Census to highlight and address gender inequities in the profession.

READ 2001-2021 REPORT

2021 Census Presentation

Resources

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Policy

READ THE DEI POLICY

The Census Report 2001-2016 – Women in Landscape Architecture

AILA launched a Gender Equity Project to investigate the participation of women

in landscape architecture and develop strategies to address gender inequity in the profession.

READ REPORT

Gender Equity Policy

AILA’s Draft Gender Equity Policy was developed by the Gender Equity Working Group in 2019, released to members for comment in early 2020 and finalised and endorsed by the National Board in September 2020. The Policy establishes AILA’s position and provides a formal framework for all interactions with the Institute and its members in relation to gender equity.

Gender Equity Policy

2019 AILA Gender Equity: Next Steps report

The 2019 AILA Gender Equity: Next Steps report prepared by Justine Clark, Parlour with Monash University XYX Lab provides an agenda for AILA and the Gender Equity Working Group to support women in the profession and promote equity and institutional change. The Gender Equity Committee is currently working through several high priority initiatives including establishing a mentoring program, developing a Practice Note for Equitable Practice and providing advice to the CPD Committee to ensure its program is relevant and accessible.

READ NEXT STEPS

Terms of Reference

The purpose of these Terms of Reference is to provide advice and support to the AILA Board in setting and implementing activity that supports Gender Equity for the profession.

VIEW TERMS OF REFERENCE