Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine have released a comprehensive resource, designed and developed by researchers from Charles Sturt University and University of NSW, to support the practical advancement of gender equity and inclusivity practices across the Australian wine sector.
It is a free, online resource designed to help wine businesses and employees improve their workplace practices with evidence-based strategies across attraction and recruitment, retention, cultural change and organisational assessment.
Practical steps and achievable actions are offered so everyone can start where they are and make progress, regardless of business size or purpose. A flexible approach helps the whole industry move towards shared goals.
Post-CSW70 Insights Report: Themes and practical recommendations for the Australian wine sector
Authored by Jane Thomson OAM following her attendance at the 70th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), this report distils global gender equity insights and translates them into what they mean for Australian wine businesses. It explores why gender equity is a driver of stronger performance and workforce resilience, particularly in regional and agricultural contexts, and highlights where action can deliver real impact. The insights provide a stepping stone to practical actions outlined in the Australian Wine Industry Gender Equity Toolkit, helping businesses move from awareness to meaningful, evidence‑based change.
Download reportAustralian Wine Industry Gender Equity Toolkit
Find what you need by starting with the question that matters most to you
For employees
I feel like I’m the only one advocating for change. How do I encourage others – including my boss – to show interest?- I’m seeing discrimination and harassment at work. What can I do to help, without becoming a target myself?
- I’m experiencing sexual harassment at work.
- I’m interested in working flexibly, but my employer doesn’t have a policy. What should I do?
- I’ve just found out I’m pregnant and my workplace does not have a parental leave policy. What should I do?
For employers
My employees are asking about flexible work arrangements and parental leave. I’m not sure what I should be offering?- What is the best way to prevent harassment and bullying in my business?
- I want to build and retain a diverse workforce. How do I change my hiring practices, and should I consider targets or quotas?
- I want to understand what equal pay is and ensure it’s happening in my business.
- What role does staff development play in supporting gender equality in the workplace?
Templates
These templates provide structured approaches for data collection and analysis across key performance areas.
Adjust and edit these templates according to the size and staffing across your business.
Acknowledgements
This toolkit was commissioned and funded by Wine Australia, in collaboration with Australian Grape & Wine’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Wine (DEIW) Committee.
The contents of this toolkit were developed by an independent research team at Charles Sturt University and UNSW Canberra with proven track records in advancing gender equity across a range of Australian male-dominated industries: Larissa Bamberry, Donna Bridges, Helen Taylor Elizabeth Wulff and Sue Williamson. The expert team prepared three reports and the toolkit, ensuring that robust data and analysis of the industry informed the recommendations and identified actions with the potential for high impact to address key priority challenges for gender equality in the wine sector.
We thank the research team, members of the AGW DEIW Committee, committed individuals from the Project Advisory Group, Wine Australia and AGW staff.
- Ali Laslett
- Allyson Tannenbaum
- Angie Bradbury
- Angus Barnes
- Ben Kite
- Brigid Nolan
- Chrissie Smith
- Corrina Wright
- David Li
- Donna Bridges
- Elizabeth Wulff
- Emily Hay
- Helen Strachan
- Helen Taylor
- Henrik Wallgren
- Henry Crawford
- Jane Thomson OAM
- Jo Hargreaves
- Larissa Bamberry
- Liz Waters
- Mardi Longbottom
- Pia Merrick
- Siobhan Wigan
- Sue Williamson
Preferred citation: Taylor, H., Bridges, D., Wulff, E., Williamson, S & Bamberry, L. (2025) Australian Wine Industry Gender Equality Toolkit, Regional Work and Organisational Resilience Group, Charles Sturt University.
This project was supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.