Findings revealed in the latest Status of Women Report Card
Sharing of caring responsibilities is starting to even out in Australia, but new issues on technology‑facilitated abuse are also emerging, according to the latest report card of the country's progress on gender equality.
The 2026 Status of Women Report Card revealed a shift in men's experiences in the workplace, indicating early signs of change in the distribution of paid and unpaid care between men and women.
According to the report, men now account for more than 20% of employees taking primary carer parental leave in medium and large workplaces in the private sector.
A third of recipients of the new government-funded Paid Parental Leave were also men between 2024-25, the report added.
Men are also entering the aged care workforce at faster rates than women, following wage increases.
More progress for women
The findings come in the wake of growing progress for women in Australian workplaces, according to the report.
Australia's national gender pay gap is currently at 11.5%, with the country ranking 13th globally for gender equality, a major leap from its 43rd place in 2022, and its highest score ever.
Women's workforce participation also reached a yearly average of 63.1% in 2025, with more women stepping into leadership roles.
In the private sector, the share of women on boards and governing bodies in medium and large employers reached 33% in 2024-25.
Nearly half (49.6%) of federal parliamentarians are also women at the opening of the 48th parliament in 2025, higher than the 44.5% at the opening of the 47th parliament.
While the report noted the significant progress, it stressed that there is more work to do on gender equality.
"There are areas where progress is too slow," the report read. "Australian women still shoulder most unpaid care, face high rates of intimate partner violence, and continue to earn less than men."
According to the findings, most Australians continue to work in a sector or occupation that is dominated by their own gender, underscoring persistent gender segregation across the country.
Technology-facilitated abuse and increasing normalisation of tracking and monitoring among young people are also emerging issues for women, the report said.
These issues are affecting women's safety, autonomy, and wellbeing.
"This year's Report Card shows that while we are seeing encouraging signs of change in some areas, including early shifts in the sharing of paid and unpaid care, serious and persistent challenges continue to affect women's safety, security and opportunity," said Minister for Women Katy Gallagher in a statement.
"It also highlights emerging evidence on technology‑facilitated abuse, and new insights from national data that show just how entrenched gender segregation remains in our workforce."
The minister underscored that gender equality "cannot be taken for granted."
"The Report Card makes clear that sustained, deliberate action by governments, workplaces and communities is essential if we are to keep making progress and improve outcomes for women and girls across Australia," she added.
