The Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed a Victorian government policy aimed at building women’s participation in the construction industry, and called on other states and territories to bring in similar plans.
Victoria’s Building Equality Policy, launched at the beginning of 2022, implements onsite and apprentice-trainee quotas and requires suppliers to develop Gender Equality Action Plans. It will apply to all publicly funded construction projects worth $20 million or more, and contractors will need to monitor full supply chains.
“We look forward to the outcomes of this policy improving equity and participation,” Institute national president Tony Giannone said.
“It is encouraging to see government recognize and leverage the procurement process to drive change, however it will be important that it is not only government-funded projects and large construction companies that benefit from these new requirements.”
“The Institute hopes that opportunities the BEP creates will quickly manifest in private and smaller public projects too. We envisage that this will require greater commitment and involvement by architects, and intend to work and consult with groups within the construction industry that represent women to aid the development of a register of Gender-Conscious Contractors.”
The Institute also noted in a statement that the method of evaluating outcomes had not yet been fully defined and that the quota percentages were low, requiring an annual review to keep pressure on industry to lift these as quickly as possible.
“Gender equity remains a major issue in Australia, and in the building and construction industry in particular,” said the Institute’s national president Tony Giannone.
“Construction continues to be a male-dominated industry, with women making up only one-quarter of the workforce.
“Both the public and private sectors need to redouble their efforts to improve equity in an enduring way.”
