Research
Opportunities for Women

Why was the initiative needed?

With the support of the major aggregators, the MFAA produces data that maps the industry trends and changes - the Industry Intelligence Service (IIS) report. Trends in the report initially showed increases in the number of female brokers and a growing percentage of female new brokers. But data in recent reports showed female participation in the industry take a sharp turn, and begin to decline.

Our response

We brought together a panel of brokers and experts and agreed that as the peak industry body we should support the development of a strategy to help all parts of the industry understand the challenges, research the gaps, and work together to create a plan to encourage greater female participation in the industry.

To date we have:

  • Delivered a planning workshop and mapped the challenges
  • Created and actioned an industry-wide research program to draw real-life feedback
  • Developed a findings report and agenda for the next stage.

Read the reports

Opportunities for Women Report 5 - 2022 - LATEST

This report details the results of our annual diversity and inclusion survey including the perspectives of mortgage and finance brokers on the barriers women encounter in the industry. We also highlight activities the MFAA has undertaken to keep this issue in focus and provide tools and resources to assist our members and the industry to take steps to increase diversity in their own businesses.

Pleasingly, the results of our diversity and inclusion survey, show that there have been positive shifts in perceptions and attitudes. The survey also showed that industry leaders are increasingly seen to be prioritising diversity and inclusion.

Download the report

Opportunities for Women Report 4 - 2021

In previous reports, the Opportunities for Women initiative identified a perception gap between how women see themselves represented in the industry compared to men. This report identifies a noticeable gap – and while this year’s report shows a shift in opinion, we still have a lot of work to do.

Download the report

Opportunities for Women Report 3 - 2020

In previous reports, the Opportunities for Women initiative identified a perception gap between how women see themselves represented in the industry compared to men. To put it simply, there is a noticeable gap – and while this year’s report shows a shift in opinion, we still have a lot of work to do.

Download the report

Opportunities for Women Report 2 - 2019

To inform this year’s Opportunities for Women report, the MFAA took a qualitative and quantitative research approach by analysing data trends and listening to industry feedback to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence female participation in the industry in order to encourage greater inclusion within the wider-broking community.

Download the report

Opportunities for Women Report 1 - 2018

The first report was a forerunner to guide more detailed and investigative research in the second stage which commenced in 2019.

Download the report

Read about our Champions of Diversity

08.04.2024 Champions of Diversity, Article

Champions of Diversity: Creating an environment for female brokers to succeed, Resolve Finance

With an employed broker to franchisee pathway and an outlook that embraces families with children, Resolve Finance is opening doors for female brokers...

16.10.2023 Champions of Diversity, Article

Champions of Diversity: Alissa Childs and Elouise Dooley, Two Birds One Loan

Two Birds One Loan Co-Founders and Managing Directors Alissa Childs and Elouise Dooley are so in sync they finish each other’s sentences. But with six...

15.08.2023 Champions of Diversity, Article

Champions of Diversity: Niti Bhargava Mortgage Broker and Franchise Owner Resolve Broker

Mortgage and finance broking first appealed to Resolve Broker Derrimut Franchisee Niti Bhargava because of the flexibility it provided her to be both ...