More Women Wanted in Car Sales

Australia’s automotive retail sector is shifting gears—and women are in the driver’s seat. With women making up a majority of car-buying decisions, dealerships are recognising the value of a more gender-diverse workforce, especially in customer-facing sales and service roles.

While car sales have historically been a male-dominated field, some forward-thinking companies are actively working to change that. One example is Trivett Automotive Group, a major Australian dealership network that made headlines for its bold move to recruit more women into car sales and service advisory positions.

Why the Shift?

Women now influence or directly make over 60% of car purchase decisions in Australia, according to industry surveys. Yet, female representation among dealership staff—especially in sales—remains disproportionately low.

“Many female customers say they feel more comfortable and understood when dealing with women during the car buying and servicing process,” says Trivett Group’s General Manager. “Hiring more women is not only good for business—it improves the customer experience.”

Breaking Industry Barriers

In a landmark move, Trivett received a temporary exemption from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board to actively recruit women for car sales and service advisory roles. During the two-year exemption period, their goal was to increase female representation in these roles from just 8% to 25%.

While such gender-targeted hiring practices are rare—and legally restricted—Trivett’s exemption was granted as part of a broader commitment to equality, inclusion and long-term cultural change.

Investing in Inclusive Workplaces

To ensure that a more diverse workforce is supported, Trivett also introduced training programs focused on workplace etiquette, inclusive communication and better understanding the needs of female customers. These changes aim to make the dealership environment more welcoming for both customers and employees.

It’s a move that reflects the wider shift happening across multiple trades and customer service industries, as employers seek to close the gender gap and improve service quality through better representation.

Considering a Career in Automotive Sales?

If you have strong interpersonal skills, enjoy customer interaction, and are interested in cars, a career in car sales or service advising could be your next big move—no mechanical background required.

To get started, you may benefit from enrolling in a course in sales and customer engagement, automotive service or leadership and management to build your confidence and qualifications.

Where to Look for Opportunities

• Check dealership networks like Trivett, Eagers Automotive or Inchcape for graduate programs or sales trainee roles
• Search car sales jobs on SEEK
• Explore training options that align with your customer service background

With consumer expectations evolving, dealerships are looking for sales professionals who are approachable, empathetic, and relatable—qualities often overlooked in traditional recruitment, but increasingly essential for success.