CANBERRA -- Australia has more women in senior management jobs than the global average, but is behind the world's forerunner, Thailand, latest report showed on Monday.

According to the research conducted by business consultant Grant Thornton, the number of women holding senior management positions in Australian privately held businesses has grown four percent since 2009.

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The report found that 27 percent of senior positions are held by women, ahead of the global average of 20 percent.

Despite the improvement, Australia is still ranked 16th in the world, trailing Thailand where women hold 45 percent of senior management roles.

"While Thailand's high ranking may come as a surprise to some, we believe that the availability and affordability of external assistance like extended family, nannies, nurseries and childcare has made it easier for women to move back to the workforce," Grant Thornton Australia director and leader of its Women's Initiative Nicole Bradley said in the report released on Monday.

She said making childcare more accessible and affordable in Australia would not only help Australian woman to rejoin the workforce, but also increase the number of women holding senior positions.

The consultant also recommended implementing mentoring and sponsorship programs that focus on actively developing female employees' skills.