Women’s economic equality

The Australian Government is committed to advancing women’s economic equality, including leading a national push to help close the gender pay gap.

Economic equality between women and men is essential to achieving gender equality. Women in Australia have lower workforce participation rates and work fewer hours than men. Women face barriers to working the hours and jobs they want. These include:

Women's safety

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Gender-based violence is a critical national issue in Australia and occurs across all, demographic and age groups.  While nobody is immune to the risk, there are some social, economic and personal factors that can increase a person's risk.

Corporate Plan 2021-2025

Our Corporate Plan sets out our agenda to help deliver on our mission – to improve the lives of all Australians.

The Plan outlines our key priorities for the next four years to support growing our economy and creating jobs, vibrant and resilient regions, strengthening families and communities, advancing Australia’s international interests and enhancing national security, governing well and preparing to respond to future critical issues.

International forums

The government recognises that gender equality is a global public good and is committed to Australia being a global leader on gender equality.

The government’s objective is to deliver outcomes for all Australians by ensuring gender equality and women’s empowerment is at the centre of all policy decisions at home, in our region and around the globe.

The government is committed to international efforts to advance gender equality and ensuring that existing commitments on gender equality are maintained.

Women's leadership

The Australian Government is committed to achieving gender equality in Australia. Women’s leadership, representation and decision-making is one of the key priority areas of Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality. Having women in visible, influencing and decision-making leadership positions is key. Evidence tells us when women are in visible decision-making positions and genuinely consulted within these spaces - economies and the whole of society benefits.

Office for Women

The government is committed to advancing gender equality as a national priority and is taking a whole-of-government approach.

Gender equality brings with it opportunities for women and men to thrive, making our economy stronger, more inclusive and more sustainable.

The Office for Women is dedicated to providing quality gender advice and delivering effective policies and programs for the Minister for Women and the Prime Minister.

Workplace gender equality

In Australia, progress continues on improving gender equality in workplaces. The gender pay gap decreased from 18.6% a decade ago to 11.9% in 20241. Women’s workforce participation reached an all-time high of 63.5% in January 2025, compared to 58.6% 10 years ago2. The proportion of employers offering paid parental leave reached 68% in 2023–24, up from 48% in 2015–163.