Kinetic has launched a new action plan aimed at achieving gender balance across its workforce by 2030, with a focus on increasing female representation in frontline transport roles.
The Women at Kinetic Action Plan 2026–2029 adopts the Champions of Change Coalition’s 40:40:20 target, aiming for a workforce made up of 40% women, 40% men and 20% of any or no specific gender.
Kinetic says women currently make up just over 20% of its workforce, although representation is higher in corporate roles at around 50%. Across Australia and New Zealand, the company employs more than 1,600 women, including over 800 drivers.
Group chief executive Michael Sewards says the plan formalises the company’s commitment to improving diversity in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
“When we founded Kinetic in 2015, we set out to change an industry that had traditionally been male dominated, with limited diversity and limited career pathways for young people,” Sewards says.
“The Women at Kinetic Action Plan formalises that commitment… but we’re honest about the fact that at just over 20 per cent, we have a long way to go.”
The plan is structured around six focus areas including recruitment, onboarding, workplace culture, leadership development and work environment, with progress to be measured annually.
Targets include increasing female driver application conversion rates by 5% year-on-year, lifting retention of new female drivers by 10% in their first year, ensuring 40% of internal promotion candidates are women, and achieving a zero gender pay gap for comparable roles.
Kinetic executive general manager – people and safety Madonna Hegerty says the plan focuses on the full employee experience.
“We know that attracting women into the industry is only the first step. What matters is what happens after they walk through the door,” Hegerty says.
In New Zealand, director – people, culture and safety Nicky Harrison says the initiative builds on existing programmes such as Women Up Front.
“That recognition tells us we’re on the right track, but this plan is about making sure we keep pushing forward,” Harrison says.
The company says the action plan forms part of its wider sustainability strategy and is designed to drive long-term change across its Australasian operations.
