Women-only staff development programmes have been conducted at Australian universities for many years, and considerable work and effort have been invested in them as a strategy to address gender inequity. However, gender imbalance remains prominent in the senior echelons of the higher education sector. This prompts the question, have staff development programmes for women done enough for the advancement of women into leadership positions? This paper reviews the current practices in women-only staff development programmes being offered at Australian universities. It aims to analyse and define the nature of women-only staff development programmes in the Australian higher education sector and to raise questions about their effectiveness in promoting a more equitable gender balance. What we learn from this review is applicable beyond Australian universities to any organisation that aims to improve gender balance, particularly in the senior ranks.

Keywords: women-only staff development programmes, gender equity