This gender lens on the Budget has been produced as an annual report on the implementation of government commitments to gender equality across the Australian federal Budget since 2014. It is developed entirely by volunteer experts giving their time and expertise to holding government to account. 

The Australian Albanese Government spent its first years in office addressing some of the most neglected areas of gender equality and developing ambitious infrastructure for future progress, including a 10 year commitment to gender equality: Working for women: a strategy for gender equality.

As a result, Australia now ranks 13th in the Global Gender Gap Index, its highest ever position. However, the 2026–27 Budget fails to build on that momentum – investments are diminishing and continued progress is at risk. There are concerning indications that gender responsive budgeting may not be maturing evenly across government.

There are some positive steps in the 2026–27 Budget (tax reform, child support, funding for the First Nations-led national strategy to end violence), but the environment in which it has landed is fraught. Under these circumstances, a failure of momentum may not be easy to recover. 

The website includes 27 reports on portfolio areas of the budget, outlining issues, measures and recommendations.