Equal Pay Day: How Menopause Friendly Australia Is Closing the Gender Pay Gap
On Equal Pay Day, 19 August 2025, it’s vital to spotlight the hidden drivers of the gender pay gap, one of which is the impact of menopause at work. Menopause Friendly Australia is at the forefront of tackling this important issue, advocating for supportive workplace policies and sparking lasting cultural change.
Why Menopause Matters for Equal Pay
Menopause affects millions of working women, often at the peak of their careers. Research from Dove and Menopause Friendly Australia shows that over half of women surveyed have considered quitting or cutting back at work due to menopausal symptoms. This not only impacts their earning potential but also pushes experienced women out of the workforce at a time when their leadership is most needed. The economic consequences are profound, with estimates that ignoring menopause at work could cost the Australian economy $26billion each year.
Supporting women through menopause; by normalising conversations, offering practical accommodations, and training managers, helps ensure they can continue to contribute and advance. It’s an essential, often overlooked, piece of the gender equality puzzle.
Momentum From the Senate Inquiry
The last 12 months marked a significant step forward: the Australian Senate handed down its report into issues related to menopause and perimenopause. The inquiry recognised how menopause can force women out of full-time work, erode lifetime earnings, and widen the gender pay and super gap. Among the recommendations was a call for workplaces to formally develop and implement menopause-friendly policies and for better support through flexible work arrangements.
A Key Recommendation: WGEA Data Drives Action
The Senate inquiry agreed with a recommendation by Menopause Friendly Australia, that the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) must restart collecting data on how employers support staff experiencing menopause and perimenopause, including specific policies and usage rates. Reliable, national data is the first step to measuring progress, informing policy, and encouraging employers to take action. It’s how we will turn good intentions into real, measurable action to close the gender pay gap for women in midlife and beyond. This year WGEA has released a calculator so you can easily find out exactly what your employer’s equal pay day is. Search here.
The Path Forward
Menopause Friendly Australia continues to collaborate with leading employers and policy-makers, sharing proven frameworks and championing change across industries. This Equal Pay Day, let’s acknowledge that true gender equity means supporting women at every life stage, including menopause.
Pay equality isn’t just about numbers, it’s about removing every barrier so women can thrive at work, always.
Join today and start your journey to being an Accredited Menopause Friendly Employer.