The Australian Gender Equality Council has critiqued the government’s National Strategy for Gender Equality, and finds it focuses upon addressing the symptoms of gender inequality rather than its causes.

The AGEC presentation presents statistics and graphs that illustrate the gender pay gap and barriers to women's advancement in work. Trends are moving in the right direction, but the rate of change is too slow.  Unless underpinning factors that  prevent full-time participation in higher paid work are addressed, the trends will slow and stop altogether.

The Strategy, launched in March 2024, was a much needed and welcome step toward gender equality in Australia, however a report by Deloitte Access Economics in June 2024 identified a significant gap between expenditure on addressing the symptoms versus attending to the causes of gender inequality. 

The report recommends that the government make it a strategy rather than an aspirational vision, defines gender equality and sets targets, focuses upon addressing the causes of gender inequality, and allocates appropriate funding to implementing the strategy.  To achieve its objectives, the strategy needs to include the states and territories, include dialogue with the women's sector, and attain bipartisan support.

BPW Australia is a founding member of the Australian Gender Equality Council.