Her Tech Circle launches AUD $4,000 scholarships for regional women
Her Tech Circle has introduced its Regional Scholarship Program to address the projected shortfall of 186,000 technology workers in Australia by 2030, with a focus on supporting regional and migrant women to participate more fully in the digital economy.
The Australia-wide initiative is designed to respond to persistent challenges in the technology sector, where existing hiring practices often exclude under-represented groups such as women, especially those living in regional locations or with migrant backgrounds.
Workforce challenges
National skills gap forecasts indicate a looming shortfall, including an estimated shortage of 85,000 digital workers in New South Wales alone. The program aims to unlock new sources of talent, arguing that current recruitment approaches, which frequently require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree or higher, filter out high-potential individuals who could successfully fill critical roles in the sector.
The scholarship programme offers alternative entry pathways including vocational training, micro-credentials, and models where participants can earn while they learn. It is projected that such inclusion could deliver an additional 31,000 workers from diverse backgrounds by 2030.
Economic impact
Her Tech Circle's data suggests that better utilisation of underemployed talent could unlock a further AUD $9 billion in annual GDP, amounting to AUD $70 billion over a ten-year period. The initiative estimates the creation of approximately 51,130 additional full-time equivalent jobs nationally over the same time span. For New South Wales, the forecast is an average annual increase of 12,300 full-time equivalent positions and an annual rise of AUD $2.5 billion in Gross State Product.
In addition to workforce gains, businesses that adopt more flexible and diverse hiring strategies can realise tangible benefits. These are said to include annual savings of AUD $800,000 from improved employee retention and an additional AUD $2.3 million in revenue from higher sales growth within diverse organisations, as well as a reported 14 percent uptick in worker productivity.
Barriers for regional and migrant women
The programme specifically targets women in regional Australia, recognising their additional challenges. According to Her Tech Circle, women in regional locations are 24 percent less likely to have access to robust professional networks. Survey results indicate that 71 percent of regional women see distance and travel expenses as significant barriers to attending industry events, while 45 percent report a lack of access to mentors and role models in the sector.
Data on migrant women show that 44 percent of permanent migrants in Australia are working below their skill levels, despite being 1.7 times more likely than their Australian-born counterparts to hold a university-level qualification. Migrant women face additional barriers including non-recognition of qualifications, language requirements, and discrimination. The Regional Scholarship Program seeks to improve access to networks and local experience to address these gaps.
Scholarship details
The Her Tech Circle Regional Scholarship Program will award eight scholarships annually, each valued at AUD $4,000. These funds will cover travel reimbursements for regional women to attend Her Tech Circle events and participate in curated mentoring sessions. Scholarships will be allocated based on an applicant's regional connection, involvement in the tech sector, career aspirations, and the challenges they face, alongside the potential impact the scholarship may have on their career progression. Recipients will also engage in mentorship programmes within Her Tech Circle's network.
"At Her Tech Circle, our mission is to create a movement where women in tech can thrive, lead, and contribute to industry advancements. We know that regional women face unique hurdles – from limited networking to travel costs – that often keep immense talent from our industry. Launching this scholarship isn't just about empowering individuals; it's a strategic investment in Australia's future. By unlocking the potential of these women, we are directly addressing the nation's critical tech skills shortage and building a more diverse, innovative, and economically robust tech sector for everyone. I am incredibly proud to see Her Tech Circle take this vital step, ensuring geographical location never limits ambition."
Her Tech Circle was established in July 2024 as a volunteer-driven organisation with a brief to support women in the Australian technology industry. To date, it has hosted over 50 events across Australia and New Zealand and reports that while women comprise just 26 percent of the technology workforce, half leave their careers early citing workplace culture as a key factor. The organisation hosts events, cultivates online communities, and facilitates mentoring initiatives to address these challenges and help build the professional relationships necessary for career advancement.
The scholarship is open to regional women aged 18 or over who are either employed within the technology sector or interested in transitioning into it, with an emphasis on expanding their networks and acquiring sector-relevant knowledge.
