500 Women in Property

500 Women in Property is an initiative of the Property Council of Australia’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committees designed to support and champion women in the property industry. The program connects women with sponsors who help grow their networks, open doors to new opportunities, and advocate for their career development.

The program is open to women from all sectors of the property industry, at any career stage. Both the participant and their sponsor must be from a Property Council member organisation.

A sponsor-led program focuses on active advocacy. Sponsors use their influence to promote participants, recommend them for opportunities, and help grow their networks and visibility. They don’t just offer advice – they take action to support career progression.

In contrast, a mentoring program centres around guidance and support. Mentors provide insight, share experiences, and help participants reflect on their goals and challenges.

While both are valuable, the key difference is that mentors advise, while sponsors advocate.

500 Women in Property is a sponsor-led program, designed to help women gain access to opportunities, networks and increased visibility across the industry.

A sponsor actively supports their participant’s career growth by:

• Advocating for them within and outside their organisation
• Making introductions to networks or industry leaders
• Recommending them for projects, promotions, or speaking opportunities
• Provide advice and championing their goals

Participants are expected to:

• Be proactive in driving the relationship
• Stay in regular contact with their sponsor
• Attend events and networking opportunities
• Set personal and professional goals for the year
• Engage with any program feedback or check-ins

No. Cross-organisation sponsorships are encouraged, as they can broaden a participant’s exposure and network.

Yes. An upfront fee of $425 (incl GST) is payable to submit your nomination for the FY26 program. This fee covers the administrative cost of processing each nomination and must be paid in full at the time of nomination to be eligible for selection.

Nominations cannot be processed until the fee has been paid in full. Please note, payment of the fee does not guarantee a position in the program.

Participants and sponsors come to the program already matched. Sometimes a sponsor will identify a participant they’d like to support; other times, a participant will approach a senior colleague, client, or industry contact. In all cases, both parties must agree to nominate together and be committed to the journey. The Property Council does not facilitate the matching.

The program runs in alignment with the financial year (July – June), with key events and engagement opportunities scheduled throughout the year.

Yes! Sponsors of all genders are welcomed and encouraged to take part. What matters most is a genuine commitment to advocating for women in the industry.

Each state and territory hosts events throughout the year, such as networking breakfasts, panel discussions, and development workshops. These events are designed to help participants grow their confidence and connections. Participants and Sponsors will be invited to relevant events as they arise.

To nominate for the program, you’ll need to:

1. Pay the nomination fee of $425 (incl. GST)
2. Once payment is received, a nomination form will be shared with you to complete.

Nominations for the FY26 program will open on 12 May and close at 5:00pm AWST on 6 June. Make sure you allow time to secure your sponsor and submit all required details before the deadline.

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions about the program.