Broadening the focus on women's economic empowerment in Australia

Daniel Dinale, Marian Baird and Alison Williams

Chapter 3 in Women’s Economic Empowerment and the State, 2026, pp 48-73 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines women's economic empowerment in Australia and the impact of state policy to broaden the agenda in recent years. Within a distinct history as a male-wage earner/female caregiver model, state policy has shifted to focus on increasing women's paid employment as the key pathway to women's economic empowerment. Most recently, this agenda has broadened to link women's economic empowerment with wider priorities, including preventing domestic and family violence, increasing women's role in leadership and decision-making and improving women's health and well-being. Key challenges to women's economic empowerment remain and are explored through three central themes: 1) women and the labour market, 2) older women's labour market participation and 3) maternalism, a focus on women as mothers. State policy in Australia is analysed using Rubery's (2015) TORReS framework to inform future research directions for enhancing women's potential in the workforce. Based on this analysis, we highlight areas where additional research may assist in unlocking the potential of Australian women across the workforce.

Keywords: Australia; Women; Economic Empowerment; Maternalism; Female Labour Force Participation; Older Women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921167
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