Australia’s science and technology sectors have long been shaped by the vision and determination of women, whose breakthroughs have addressed some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Their work is diverse – from renewable energy to the circular economy, sustainable mining, creative technology, medtech and aviation – demonstrating the transformative power of combining innovation with purpose.
As we celebrate International Women’s History Month, Austrade honours the stories and contributions of 8 remarkable Australian innovators. Their pioneering efforts have not only redefined what is possible but also positioned Australia as a global leader across many sectors.
Professor Anita Ho-Baillie: Powering the future with solar innovation
Professor Anita Ho-Baillie is the John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience at the University of Sydney. She engineers materials at the nanoscale to integrate solar cells onto diverse surfaces, enabling clean energy generation. In 2023, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency awarded A$2.78 million in research funding to Professor Ho-Baillie to support research and development that accelerates commercialisation.
Professor Fiona Wood: A healing touch for burn victims
In the early 2000s, Professor Fiona Wood pioneered the revolutionary “spray-on skin”' technology, a medical breakthrough that uses cultured skin cells to treat severe burns. This technology gained global recognition following the 2002 Bali bombings when it helped save the lives of many victims. Dr Wood’s innovation not only speeds up recovery times but also significantly reduces scarring, offering a second chance to those who have endured traumatic injuries. Her work exemplifies the profound impact of compassionate healthcare.
Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos: Pioneering energy storage solutions
Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos developed the vanadium redox battery in 1989, a breakthrough for large-scale renewable energy storage. Her invention addresses the intermittency of solar and wind energy, offering lower cost and longer lifecycle than conventional battery systems. Today, the technology is used by top companies like VRB Energy, VanadiumCorp Resource Inc and Invinity Energy Solutions, among others. The global vanadium redox flow battery market size was worth an estimated US$394.7 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.7% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research).
Melanie Perkins: Democratising design
In 2013, Melanie Perkins co-founded Canva, a graphic design platform that has since become a household name. Perkins’ vision was simple yet profound – to make design accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level. Today, Canva is valued in the billions, showing how a simple idea can empower individuals and businesses to express their creativity.
Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, Professor Fiona Wood, Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos, Melanie Perkins, Dr. Michelle Perugini, Nancy Bird Walton, Dr Penny Stewart and Dr Veena Sahajwalla.
Dr. Michelle Perugini: Bringing hope to families
Dr. Michelle Perugini’s work with Life Whisperer has brought new hope to countless families struggling with infertility. Since its launch in 2017, Life Whisperer has utilised artificial intelligence to improve IVF success rates by identifying the most viable embryos with remarkable accuracy. For many, the path to parenthood is a difficult journey, but Perugini’s innovation offers a ray of hope, combining science and compassion to create life-changing possibilities.
Nancy Bird Walton: First female commercial pilot in Australia
Nancy Bird Walton earned her commercial pilot’s license at just 19, becoming the youngest woman pilot in Australia. She first took lessons with the legendary Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and flew in the harsh outback to provided medical services to remote communities. She founded the Australian Women Pilots’ Association in 1950, advocating for women in aviation and inspiring future generations to reach for the skies. In 2008, Qantas recognised her legacy by naming an Airbus A380 in her honour, cementing her place in Australia’s aviation history.
Dr Penny Stewart: Transforming mining with AI and data
A mining engineer and founder and CEO of PETRA, Dr Penny Stewart is transforming the mining industry with AI-powered software that empowers mining professionals to enhance their understanding of orebody knowledge and optimise the entire mining value chain. Founded in 2015, PETRA’s AI based solutions are used in hundreds of sites across the global mining industry by companies like BHP, Evolution Mining, Komatsu, Peabody to name a few.
Dr Veena Sahajwalla: Pioneering green steel
Dr Veena Sahajwalla is an internationally recognised material scientist, engineer and inventor revolutionising recycling science. In 2003, she invented a groundbreaking “green steel” technology that uses waste plastics to reduce energy consumption in steel production. Steel manufacturing accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions, but green steel production could cut emissions by 95%. As production scales up and technologies mature, the cost gap between green steel and conventional steel is expected to narrow, potentially reaching price parity by 2030 in some regions. Dr Sahajwalla explains the inspiration behind her invention in this video.
Australia stands tall on the global stage, not only for its natural wonders but also for the remarkable contributions of its women. These pioneers are proof that innovation is not just about technology but also about heart and humanity. They also remind us that with vision, grit and a bit of Australian tenacity, nothing is impossible.
Supporting gender equity at Austrade
Diversity and inclusion are integral to Austrade’s work. Austrade has a proud history of supporting and championing women-led businesses to export and invest around the world.
In a recent speech at a Tech Council of Australia event, Dara Williams, Austrade’s Deputy CEO Policy & Programs, said:
‘One of the great joys of working at Austrade is witnessing the success of ambitious Australian businesses run by accomplished, energetic women. Last year, one-third of the finalists in the Australian Export Awards were women-led or owned businesses.
‘This is strong representation but I’m keen to see the achievements of even more such businesses celebrated.’
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