The Menopause Landscape in Australia
Two exciting things happened last year in the Australian Menopause landscape, and I was privileged to be part of both. An even bigger deal happened this year!
Firstly, there was a Senate Inquiry: Issues related to menopause and perimenopause, of which I spoke at the opening hearing in Sydney, sharing my views on a need for GPs trained in menopause, menopause training and support in workplaces and a public campaign to increase knowledge and reduce stigma around menopause.
The Senate Inquiry culminated in a Report handed to Government in with 25 Recommendations, aimed at improving care and support for women. It called for expanded research on the impacts of menopause, particularly regarding mental health and diverse communities, and advocated for a national awareness campaign. Excitingly, in February 2025 the Federal Government announced a whopping investment of $573m in women’s health, to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women. Some key takeaways include:
Development of a National Policy Framework and Action Plan on Menopause
A National Public Awareness and Health Literacy Campaign
GP Education - currently they receive 1-3 hours training on menopause! We deserve better!
Reform of Medicare support - menopause hormone treatments listed on the PBS, making MHT/HRT cheaper and more accessible for more women
This is testament to the power of advocacy and collaboration of many amazing women across Australia; GP Ceri Cashell, Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP Kelly Teagle, A/Prof Erin Morton, Health Policy Advocate, Johanna Wicks, Journalist and Women’s Health Advocate, Shelly Horton, CEO Menopause Friendly Australia, Grace Molloy, Menopause and Cancer Advocate, Sonya Lovell. I’m proud of my small contribution in speaking at the Senate Inquiry on menopause.
The menopause landscape in Australia is characterized by significant impacts on women's health, workforce participation, and economic outcomes. Approximately 3 million Australian women aged 45-64 experience menopause, with varying effects on their daily lives and work.
Economic outcomes for Australian women in menopause
The Australian Institute of Super Trustees in their 2023-24 pre-budget submission estimated that menopause costs Australian women $15.2 billion because they retire early or choose to work part time to manage symptoms, noting women retire 7.4 years earlier than men.
The submission highlighted Australian Bureau of Statistics data that 45% of women who retired before 55 said their own health was the reason. Australian women say they intend to retire at age 64, however the average age of retirement for women is 52, equaling 12 years of lost productivity.
In 2021, Circle In and the Victorian Women’s Trust surveyed 700 people in Australia, of which:
83% said their work was negatively affected by menopausal symptoms
58% said managing work during menopause was challenging
45% had considered retiring or taking a break from work when symptoms were severe
Notably 72% of people did not reduce hours or leave due to financial reasons.
The Australasian Menopause Society 2023 annual report estimated there are almost 1.1 million people with severe symptoms in Australia and New Zealand. This is based on the understanding that 60% of people will experience moderate menopause symptoms and 20% will experience severe symptoms. Research has shown that people with more severe symptoms are most impacted at work.
The second exciting thing that happened last year?
The progress Menopause Friendly Australia made in Australian workplaces, which I was privileged to be part of.
I delivered menopause training to over 1,000 women (and a few men - excellent, we need you as key allies) from the Commonwealth Bank Australia to Finders University, the Audit Office of NSW and the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations.
Managers and employees across Australia joined me online in Menopause Friendly Australia training sessions to learn about, menopause ages and stages, signs and symptoms. Menopause support starts with raising awareness. Employees receive practical resources to encourage supportive conversations. Manager training increases awareness, knowledge and confidence in how to support people experiencing menopause, so they can continue to thrive at work.
Menopausal women are the fastest-growing working demographic. The number of women aged 45-54 in paid employment has grown by nearly 40% since 1980.
Everyone experiences menopause differently. Symptoms can be physical, such as hot flushes, headaches, poor sleep and erratic periods, or psychological, such as anxiety, low moods, lack of confidence and poor concentration.
In Australia, four in five women will be working during their menopause transition. Employers have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful and immediate difference by raising awareness for perimenopause and menopause and encourage people to take steps that reduce the impact of symptoms. Employers are responsible for the psychosocial care of their employees.
The menopause in the workplace conversation is undeveloped in Australia compared to other regions such as the UK.
However, with trial blazing organisations such as Menopause Friendly Australia leading the way and organisations such as Deloitte, Ashanti Gold, CBA, BHP, NSW Ambulance, FABRIC/TBWA and many more employers participating, pleasingly, significant progress is being made.
Future Directions
The political landscape around menopause in Australia is looking good, $573m is a fantastic start to making up lost time and unnecessary suffering for millions of women but there is still work to be done to fully address the needs of women experiencing menopause. We need to see this investment enacted and come to life in policy and practice, alongside more research in women’s health.
Meanwhile sold-out events like ‘So Hot Right Now” at Sydney Opera House with global menopause trailblazers such as GP Louise Newson, Dr Mary Claire Haver, Urologist, Kelly Casperson and Dr Vonda Wright tells us this is anything but a menopause moment, this is a seismic shift just getting started. Hear us roar!