Women are disproportionately underrepresented across the Australian music industry, according to a new study from the University of Sydney’s Women, Work and Leadership Research Group. The Skipping a Beat report, authored by Associate Professor Rae Cooper, Dr Amanda Coles, and PhD candidate Sally Hanna-Osborne, found that gender-based inequality is reflected most clearly by which artists gain prominence, and who occupies decision-making positions in the industry.

“Whether it be radio playlists, festival line-ups, industry awards, [or] major industry boards, male artists and voices overwhelmingly dominate the Australian music industry”, said lead author Professor Cooper.

Unsurprisingly, the report found that men dominate labour markets and occupations in the Australian music industry, with women representing only a third of all employed musicians. Women also represent only one-fifth of songwriters and composers registered with the Australasian Performing Rights Association, despite comprising 45 percent of Australians with a music qualification, with half of those studying music.

“When we look at the gender breakdown for more technical roles such as sound engineering and music production, the gap becomes even wider”, said Cooper. “Women in the music industry are not only confronted with the ‘glass ceiling’, but also ‘glass walls’, where women congregate in occupations and sectors where the...