Promotion in the Australian Public Service: Improvements for Women and Stagnation for Cultural and Linguistic Minorities

Robert Breunig, David Hansell and Nu Nu Win

The Economic Record, 2026, vol. 102, issue 337, 250-295

Abstract: We investigate whether being female, Indigenous, from a non‐English speaking background (NESB) or having a disability affects career advancement in the Australian Public Service. Over the past 20 years, women have become more likely to get promoted at senior ranks than similar men and just as likely at junior ranks. NESB staff have much lower promotion prospects at higher ranks despite being less likely to separate from the public service. Lower promotion prospects for NESB staff are only partially explained by language proficiency or cultural assimilation. The unexplained remainder could reflect tokenism or a penalty for being non‐white.

Date: 2026
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