NEW REPORT: AUSTRALIA RECORDS HISTORIC PROGRESS TOWARDS GENDER EQUITY AS UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE CLOSER TO REALITY

Australia has achieved its best-ever global ranking for gender equality, jumping to 13th place in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ^[1], highlighting the impact of reforms to early childhood education and care and paid parental leave.

CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said that Australia’s historic advances towards gender equity over the past year are proof that practical and intentional policy changes can help us achieve parity.

"This result shows what's possible when governments make gender equity a priority and back it up with meaningful policy action," Ms Dent said.

"Investing in better wages for chronically undervalued feminised workforces, increases to paid parental leave (PPL) entitlements, the provision of superannuation on PPL and measures to make early childhood education and care more affordable have made a clear difference.

“These measures have increased economic security for women across the country and have made navigating personal and professional responsibilities easier for many.

"However, Australia still has significant work to do – we remain a global outlier on parental leave, offering just 26 weeks, lower than most comparable nations.

“While steps are being take to make childcare and early education more accessible and affordable, many barriers still prevent families from accessing the early childhood education and care they need.

“These results show us that government policy can and does make a tangible difference in achieving the goal of true gender equity – and they underscore the need for us to go further.

“We’re calling on the Albanese Labor Government to build on this progress by increasing paid parental leave entitlement to 52 weeks at replacement wage, with superannuation included – bringing us in line with international best practice.

“We're also calling on them to cement Prime Minister Albanese’s desired legacy of universal quality, inclusive early childhood education and care. This means working efficiently and effectively to ensure the $1billion Building Early Education Fund delivers access for areas of need, ensuring wages are permanently lifted for early educators, making necessary investments in inclusion and addressing the issues with quality and safety through funding reform. The Parenthood supports capping early learning fees at $10 a day, three days a week for most families and making early learning free for low-income families.

“Establishing an Early Years Commission to lead this ambitious and urgent work is an important first step.”

“These measures will bring us closer to achieving true gender equity in Australia and in doing so will improve outcomes for children, boost workforce participation, support families, and strengthen communities and our economy.

"We look forward to working with the Government to build on this historic progress and deliver the reforms needed to secure true gender equality for all Australian women and families," Ms Dent said.

[1] World Economic Forum – Global Gender Gap Index