AMA Report Shows Progress in Gender Diversity Across Medical Leadership
12 Nov 2026
The latest Diversity Report was released on Tuesday by the AMA's new Federal Vice President, Dr Sarah Whitelaw. The report highlights progress in supporting women in medicine and leadership, while also identifying areas where greater diversity is needed.
Women Reach 43.6% of Leadership Positions
Since 2018, the AMA has tracked gender representation across its councils and committees.
Its target is to have at least 40% women, 40% men and 20% of positions open to any gender.
The 2025 report shows that women's representation increased from 38.8% in the previous year to 43.6% of voting positions.
The AMA says regular reporting and ongoing efforts have helped the organisation reach its gender representation target.
Report Highlights Wider Diversity Gaps
The report also looks at representation across different groups within the medical profession.
The findings show:
- International medical graduates held 15.9% of voting positions.
- Members from regional, rural and remote areas held 20.5%.
- Doctors under 35 accounted for 17.3%.
- Doctors aged 55 and over held 42.3%.
- First Nations members represented 1.8%.
These figures highlight areas where further improvements in representation are needed.
Research Identifies 10 Priorities for Gender Equality
AMA research conducted with the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) has also identified 10 priorities for improving gender equality in medical leadership.
Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the research included feedback from more than 540 AMA members.
Five priorities focus on improving gender equality within the AMA. These include making leadership selection more transparent and supporting women who are developing their leadership careers.
The other five focus on wider advocacy, including flexible career options, greater recognition of mentoring and reducing the gender pay gap.
The AMA is using these priorities to guide its ongoing work on diversity and gender equality in medical leadership.
AMA Report Shows Progress in Gender Diversity Across Medical Leadership
Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA) – Diversity Report, 12 November 2026.