Women in Mining Victoria: 2025 Mentoring Program

The AusIMM Women in Mining Network of Victoria (WIMnet Vic) operates a mentoring program for women who are employed in the mining industry. Our program has been running since 2017 and aims to facilitate the development of women who work in the mining industry. Since its inception we have enabled women to successfully progress their careers through securing senior roles or by contributing to the technical capability of their employers.

The resources sector has long been recognised as a challenging and demanding field, particularly for females.  Despite a strong focus on the gender challenges in our industry we continue to be one of the most male dominant sectors in Australia, with just 22% of our workforce being female [1]. 

WIMnet Victoria aims to attract, retain, support and develop females working in the resources sector. 

We believe that professional mentoring plays a crucial role in supporting and empowering women to thrive in their careers within the mining industry.

1. Career Development and Advancement: Professional mentoring provides females with the guidance and support needed to navigate their career paths effectively. Mentors, who are often experienced professionals working in the mining industry, offer valuable insights, share their experiences, and provide advice on career development. This guidance helps mentees set clear career goals, identify opportunities for growth, and develop strategies to achieve their aspirations.
2. Building Confidence and Leadership Skills: Mentoring relationships foster a sense of confidence and self-assurance in female professionals. Through regular interactions with their mentors, mentees gain the confidence to take on new challenges, voice their ideas, and assume leadership roles. Mentors also provide constructive feedback, helping mentees refine their skills and develop the leadership qualities necessary for success in the mining industry.
3. Expanding Professional Networks: One of the significant advantages of professional mentoring is the opportunity to expand one's professional network. Mentors often introduce mentees to key industry contacts, facilitating valuable connections that can open doors to new opportunities. These networks are instrumental in career advancement, providing access to industry events, job openings, and collaborative projects.
4. Overcoming Industry-Specific Challenges: The mining industry presents unique challenges, and having a mentor who understands these challenges can be immensely beneficial. Mentors can offer practical advice on overcoming industry-specific obstacles, such as navigating remote work environments, managing work-life balance, and addressing safety concerns. This support helps mentees build resilience and adapt to the demands of the industry.
5. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Professional mentoring programs contribute to promoting diversity and inclusion within the mining industry. By supporting the career growth of females, these programs help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. Diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives and ideas, leading to innovative solutions and improved business outcomes.

Program Structure

Our team of industry volunteers’ match mentees’ skill development requirements with qualified, well established and experienced volunteer mentors, who are able to mentor them in a range of specialisations.

During the six-month program WIMnet Victoria hosts three separate events:

• An introduction evening
• The Mid-Program Leadership Seminar
• A Graduation Evening

Pairs are introduced to their mentors and are encouraged to discuss and decide whether they would like to continue meeting after the program has been completed.  How and when they meet is decided by the pairs.

The focus of the program depends upon the needs of the mentee, this could include career development, expansion of networks, assisting with particular skills or simply gaining more knowledge.

Program Fees and Key Dates

The cost of the program is $445 per mentee.

We try and keep registration fees as low as possible, to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation.  We do this through the generous support of program sponsors.

The program will run from August 2025 to March 2026.

Expression of Interest closes Sunday, 31 August 2025
Participants notified: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Introductory meeting: Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Leadership Program: End of October TBC
Annual Lunch: 19 November 2025
Networking Event: Early/Mid Feb 2025
Graduation Event: March TBC

Click here EOI Registration for Menteers & Mentors

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship packages start as low as $1,500 and include company branding, participation in the program events and a complimentary mentee registration.

Click here for EOI Sponsorship Enquiries 

[1] Workplace Gender Equality Agency - Industry Data Explorer (Private Sector Reporting 2023-2024).  Industry Data Explorer (Private Sector Reporting 2023-2024) https://www.wgea.gov.au/Data-Explorer/Industry.  Accessed July 2025.