The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) says the 2026 Federal Budget contains some welcome investments for women’s safety and wellbeing but fails to maintain the momentum needed to drive long-term gender equality in Australia.
In its annual Gender Lens on the Budget report, NFAW acknowledges important measures including funding to improve the Child Support system, investment in the First Nations-led strategy to end family violence, support for young people at risk of housing insecurity, and action on technology-facilitated abuse.
However, NFAW says the broader Budget settings do not match the scale of the challenges facing women and gender equality.
“We celebrate the progress that has been made under the Albanese Government but without sustained investment and leadership this progress can quickly stall,” states Sally Moyle, Chair of NFAW.
Australia recently achieved its highest-ever ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index, rising to 13th globally after years of decline. NFAW says this progress reflects deliberate policy choices and sustained investment in gender equality infrastructure, including the Government’s Working for Women strategy.
But NFAW warns the international environment is becoming increasingly hostile to gender equality, with growing global pushback against women’s rights and human rights protections.
“Gender equality must be treated as an economic and national priority, particularly during periods of uncertainty and social division,” states Sally Moyle.
NFAW also raised concerns about several areas of the Budget where gender impacts appear to have been overlooked, including:
The organisation says gender responsive budgeting must remain central to government decision-making and should be strengthened across all portfolios.