The Australian Sports Commission (“ASC”) has announced its policy to improve gender equity in the governance of sport around Australia. In partnership with the State and Territory Agencies for Sport and Recreation (“STASR”), the ASC policy applies to all recognised national and state sporting organisations.

By no later than 1 July 2027, ASC and STASR have set the following targets for Australian sport to achieve:

• 50% of all board directors are women and/or gender diverse;
• 50% of chairs are women and/or gender diverse; and
• 50% of specified sub-committee members are women and/or gender diverse.

The ASC has also flagged that non-compliance will have varying consequences between jurisdictions. By way of example, in NSW, an interim requirement has been set of reporting and declaring a commitment to working towards gender equity. Failure to meet this interim requirement by June 2025 will result in reduced Organisation Support Program funding in 2025/26 (See slide 27).

So how can sporting organisations comply?

For some, this policy might feel like a long time coming, for others it might be a tall administrative order to comply within the space of two years.

Sporting organisations should take steps to plan for amendments to their constitutions to take effect so that they can move progressively towards the gender equity targets. They should aim to achieve the target over the next two years’ Annual General Meetings where directors will be elected.

PCS can assist with drafting amendments to organisational constitutions and assist with achieving the gender equity targets by 2027.