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Office for Women

The Office for Women works across government to deliver policies and programmes to advance gender equality and improve the lives of Australian women.

Our current priorities are:

strengthening women’s economic security including women’s workforce participation.
Supporting more women into leadership positions.
ensuring that women and their children are safe from violence.

Current Initiatives

Grants and Funding

Grants and Funding

The Women’s Leadership and Development Strategy provides funding and support to organisations to deliver gender equality at the national level.

International Forums

International Forums

Our work contributes to Australia’s policies on international matters relating to gender equality and women.

Leadership

We are committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

Women's Economic Security

Economic Security

Our work supports more Australian women into work – improving women’s economic security today and helping them accumulate retirement savings for the future.

Women's Safety

Feeling safe and without fear of violence is everyone's right; reducing violence is everyone's responsibility.

Latest News

Image of women gathered around a desk engaged in an online discussion

Invitation for Web Conference 1 – Gender-based violence

International Forums Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Thursday, 25 October 2018

The Office for Women is pleased to invite all interested parties and individuals to attend the first in our new series of web conferences, commencing on Wednesday 7 November 2018 from 11.30 to 13.00 (AEDT).

Sub Lieutenant Sarah West, on-board HMAS Toowoomba in combat gear.

Landmark moment for women in the ADF

International Forums Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Wednesday, 24 October 2018

Australia has taken its final step towards enabling women to participate in all aspects of Australian Defence Force (ADF) combat operation. All Australians can now apply and be enlisted into any role within the ADF as long as they can meet all the demands of the role.

Three women sitting around a meeting table, watching another woman who is doing a presentation with a sheet of graphs on a whiteboard .

Record number of women on government boards and expansion of BoardLinks program

Leadership Boardlinks

Friday, 19 October 2018

The Australian Government is making strong progress on its target for women to hold 50 percent of government board positions, with more women than ever now on government boards.

Resources

Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report 2017-18

Office for Women

25th October 2018

The Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report is prepared annually by the Australian Government Office for Women, and reports on the Government’s performance against its gender diversity target.

Government response to A Husband is not a Retirement Plan: Achieving Economic Security for Women in Retirement

Office for Women

16th August 2018

On 16 August 2018, the Australian Government tabled its response to the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry report A Husband is not a Retirement Plan: Achieving Economic Security for Women in Retirement.

2018 Progress Report on the Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018

Office for Women

The Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018 (National Action Plan) is a whole of government policy to implement United Nations Securit

Report of the Australian Government Delegation to the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Office for Women

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (the Commission) is a global policy making body that is dedicated to advancing gender equality and enhancing the rights of women and girls around the world.

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality - Case Studies

Office for Women

The Office for Women sought case studies to showcase Australia’s collective efforts in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. These case studies highlight the work being done by businesses and the community to contribute to Australia’s efforts to meet SDG 5.