To date western feminist scholarship on gender and work has primarily focused on women providing valuable information as to their discrimination and invisibility, especially in the echelons of power and in senior decision-making positions. Feminist scholars have needed to explore women's under representation in senior leadership positions because of their long term exclusion. This is true for Australian women where most have been unable to secure senior jobs despite their desire to do so and scholarship that supports their suitability. As in other parts of the world, women in Australia continue to be under represented in leadership positions in the workplace despite the feminist agenda. This is true for all occupational groups. A snapshot from the Australian higher education sector and women's place in senior leadership illustrates the many paradoxes women face.