The National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 outlines Australia’s national approach to improving health for all women and girls in Australia. This initial baseline assessment provides a current state assessment of the strategy based on the approach outlined in the Monitoring and Reporting Framework. The assessment considered how the strategy had been implemented from its commencement in 2020 to May 2024. It identifies five improvements and five gaps.

Improvements

1. Action on abortion and long-acting reversible contraception
2. Birthing on Country (BoC) initiatives
3. Funding for endometriosis research, awareness and care
4. Investment in tackling eating disorders
5. The Statement on Sex, Gender, Variation of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation in Health and Medical Research.

Gaps

1. Sexual and reproductive workforce shortages in rural areas
2. Substandard menopause-related health care
3. Insufficient investment in chronic conditions, including pain
4. Ad hoc primary prevention and long-term recovery services for domestic, family and sexual violence
5. Lack of data disaggregated by priority group status.