The latest Federal Budget has attempted to make considerations for women, especially in the ways of healthcare and the gender work gap.
A $792.9 million boost into women’s healthcare is one of the centrepieces for women in the Budget.
The new investment will target endometriosis, contraception and pelvic pain.
“This funding will help Australian women save on contraception, access more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, and receive better support through menopause,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in his budget speech.
“Because for our Government, women’s health is not a boutique issue or a question of special interest – it is a national priority."
While this is a positive step forward, some have argued this only focuses on a small number of health issues faced by women.
“The biggest killers of women are chronic diseases like heart disease, but risk factors and management of these diseases are really under-studied in women compared to in men,” Professor Amanda Henry, Program Head of Women’s Health at The George Institute and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Medicine at UNSW Sydney told Women’s Agenda.
In his speech, Chalmers also announced pay raises, including $2.6 billion to fund pay raises for aged care nurses.
“So the workers we trust to care for our parents and grandparents get paid properly for the work they do,” Chalmers said.
“We’re reforming non‑compete clauses, to lift wages by up to $2,500 for workers covered by them.”
The Budget also includes $5 billion to deliver universal Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). This includes a $3.6 billion wage rise, $426.6 million to deliver three-day guarantee ECEC for all children and remove the Child Care Subside Activity Test and $1 billion to establish the Early Education Fund to increase supply.
There is also $16.4 million tripartite pilot program to bring together industry, employers and unions to address gender workforce segregation and push for cultural change.
An additional $3.4 million has been put in place ot establish a mentoring and coaching program for First Nation women in business.
According to Chalmers, the government have also backed pay rises to ensure the National Minimum Wage has risen by almost $7,500.
Chief Executive Women (CEW) chief executive, Lisa Annese, welcomed these measures in the Budget as she said they address many of the significant barriers women and families face, allowing for greater economic participation for all.
“Investment in the care economy, women’s health and childcare makes strong economic sense and it’s promising to see the government taking major, generational steps to invest in a sustainable economic future for all Australians,” she said.
“CEW research has found that one million additional full-time skilled workers could be unlocked in Australia if women were engaged in paid work at the same rate as men.”
“Continued focus and investment in these areas will drive lasting benefits for women, businesses, and the broader economy.”
The government has also provided $366.9 million over five years from 2025-26 to extend the National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence responses as well as other measures to fight domestic violence.
Despite this, family violence advocates, including No to Violence, have slammed the Federal Budget.
No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper said if the government was serious about addressing the issue, they should have shown it with new announcements.
“This was called the ‘cost of living’ Budget,” he said.
“But the Budget ignored the cost of men’s family violence and the cost of women and children living in fear.
“That’s what tens of thousands of women and children are doing tonight.”
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