The AAAA proudly celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) with a special breakfast event

The breakfast brought together women from across the automotive industry under a unified banner of progress and change.
Sponsored by BAPCOR, GPC, Penrite, Amotiv, and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), the event was more than a celebration – it was a call to action to improve gender diversity and strengthen support networks within the industry.
Women remain significantly underrepresented in automotive, with one of the lowest female workforce participation rates of any industry, trailing only mining and construction.
Despite this, momentum is building, and the AAAAWomen initiative is at the forefront of driving meaningful change.
“The automotive aftermarket sector is stepping up to create real opportunities for women,” AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, said.
“We are working together, across brands and organisations, to support and retain the talented women already in our industry while also encouraging more women to join.”
Industry research has consistently shown that two key factors have the greatest impact on attracting and retaining women in male-dominated industries: the attitudes of senior leadership and the presence of formal and informal support networks.
The AAAAWomen project is addressing both, with direct engagement from business leaders and the launch of Connection Circles – a structured peer mentoring and support initiative inspired by a successful program in the US run by Auto Care. You can read more about the launch of Connection Circles here.

“These Connection Circles provide women in our industry with a trusted space to share experiences, develop skills, and build the networks that are crucial for career growth,” Lesley said.
“It is another example of how we are creating change – not just talking about it.”
The statistics underscore the need for action. Women currently represent less than 20 percent of the total automotive workforce in Australia, but in critical areas such as automotive trades, that number is even lower.
In key technical and leadership roles, the figure drops further – less than one percent of qualified mechanics are women.
Yet, businesses with gender-diverse teams have been shown to outperform their competitors in both financial and operational outcomes.
“Change won’t happen overnight, but we are moving in the right direction,” Lesley said.
“This breakfast was a celebration of what we have achieved so far, but it was also a commitment to continue the work.
“The automotive aftermarket is stronger when we work together, and AAAAWomen is bringing industry leaders, brands, and individuals into the conversation to ensure real, long-term impact.”
The sold-out industry breakfast was a resounding success, with leading industry women sharing their insights, alongside an inspiring keynote from guest speaker Lisa O’Neill. The energy in the room was electric, making it a truly memorable and motivational event.

For more from the AAAA, visit www.aaaa.com.au