Caroline Stewart

A new report from Ecstra Foundation highlights the growing demand from Australian schools for practical financial education as part of the curriculum, at a time when financial literacy rates have fallen across all age groups in Australia.

As this week’s Global Money Week focuses on the importance of financial education worldwide, the latest Talk Money Impact Report reveals that the Talk Money with Ecstra Foundation program has helped 530,873 young Australians across 1,622 schools nationally build the confidence and skills to manage money and make informed financial decisions.

Students who participated in the workshops recorded strong improvements across three key financial capability measures:

• 29 per cent increase in students’ ability to talk about money
• 40 per cent increase in confidence managing money
• 35 per cent increase in intent to achieve financial goals

The report also found that 87 per cent of teachers believe the financial topics covered in Talk Money workshops would not otherwise be taught, highlighting a gap between existing curriculum coverage and the practical financial skills students need.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra Foundation, said the results underscore the important role schools and education programs play in building financial capability from an early age.

“The Talk Money workshops are helping students develop the knowledge and confidence they need to make decisions about money at each stage of life,” said Stewart.

“As financial literacy levels have declined across Australia many young people are entering adulthood without the skills they need to manage money, avoid scams and navigate an increasingly complex financial system, and programs such as Talk Money are an important part of filling the gap

Teachers participating in the program also identified several ways financial education could be strengthened in schools, including:

• More complementary resources and guides to support financial literacy teaching (92 per cent)
• Greater access to financial education programs, such as Talk Money (90 per cent)
• Stronger emphasis on financial education in the Australian Curriculum (89 per cent) 

“The strong growth in participating schools shows just how much educators value practical financial education and the role programs like Talk Money can play in supporting teachers,” said Stewart.

The findings come as the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) undertakes a targeted review of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics for Foundation to Year 2, aimed at strengthening early numeracy and improving clarity for teachers around foundational concepts.

ACARA has indicated the review will also ensure inclusion of foundational consumer and financial literacy concepts within the maths curriculum.

Stewart said initiatives like Talk Money help bridge the gap between core numeracy skills and real-world financial decisions.

“The Australian Curriculum provides the foundations for skills such as numeracy, financial literacy and problem solving,” she said.

“Programs like Talk Money bring those skills to life by helping students understand how numbers apply to day-to-day money decisions and transactions.”

Since launching in 2022, Talk Money has grown to become Australia’s largest free face-to-face financial education program offered in schools, delivering workshops across all states and territories.

The program’s curriculum-aligned workshops are delivered to students in Years 5–10, covering topics such as spending and saving, financial decision-making, workplace rights and online safety.

Responding to the rise in scams targeting young people, the program recently introduced “Becoming Scam Savvy”, a workshop designed to help high school students recognise scams and stay safe online.

“Financial education goes far beyond understanding money. It’s about building the confidence, habits and practical life skills young people need to make good financial decisions throughout their lives.

“Talk Money is helping Australian students start those conversations about money at school, at home and with their peers, setting them on a lifelong path to financial capability,” added Stewart.

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Caroline Stewart

Australia must urgently commit to a National Financial Capability and Wellbeing Strategy in 2026, as financial literacy rates fall and young Australians risk entering adulthood without essential money skills, according to a new call to action led by Ecstra Foundation.

A growing coalition across education, consumer protection, community services and research is urging the Federal Government to lead a coordinated national response to reverse declining financial wellbeing and equip Australians with lifelong financial skills, in schools, across workplaces, community settings and throughout major life transitions, including early careers, parenting, caring responsibilities and retirement.

Ecstra Foundation CEO, Caroline Stewart, said the need for action is time-critical, with Australia increasingly at risk of falling behind global peers.

“Financial literacy rates have fallen across all age groups in Australia, with the steepest declines among 15–24-year-olds,” Ms Stewart said. “We are setting up a generation to navigate an increasingly complex financial system without the essential skills they need.”

Australia stands in contrast to countries such as New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, which have strengthened their government led approaches to financial education and wellbeing.

New Zealand has recently reinforced financial literacy teaching in schools through its refreshed national curriculum and the 2025-2027 National Strategy for Financial Capability, uniting more than 1000 partners. The United States has continued to expand school-based financial education mandates at a state level, and in the United Kingdom, financial education has been embedded in schooling for over a decade and is now being further supported with strong consumer protection and guidance systems.

“These countries are making more consistent use of data, curriculum levers and coordinated policy to lift financial capability outcomes,” she said. “Australia will fall behind if we fail to act.”

A key priority is Australia’s re-engagement in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Financial Literacy Assessment in 2029, with a decision on participation expected imminently by the Federal Government. Australia’s involvement lapsed in 2018.

“Re-engaging in PISA is a critical first step,” Stewart said. “It restores internationally comparable data, allows us to track what’s working, and signals genuine national commitment to improving young Australians’ financial wellbeing.”

In the call to action, Ecstra identifies six priority areas, including elevating financial literacy in the Australian Curriculum, investing in evidence-based education and teacher support, embedding financial capability across life stages, strengthening consumer protections, and improving national measurement and coordination.

“Education alone is not enough – financial outcomes are shaped by the systems people must navigate every day. We need fairer systems, clearer information and stronger protections, particularly for those experiencing financial stress or vulnerability.

“More than 70 countries already have national strategies, and Australia was once a leader. We cannot continue with fragmented, short-term approaches. This year is our opportunity to build a connected national strategy that genuinely improves the financial lives of all Australians,” Stewart added.

Ecstra Foundation is inviting the Federal Government to convene a cross-sector working group to develop a new National Financial Capability Strategy, map existing initiatives, identify gaps and duplication, and agree on shared national goals and accountability for outcomes. Initial supporters include Financial Counselling Australia, Financial Rights Legal Centre, First Nations Foundation, and Super Consumers Australia, with additional signatories expected to join in the coming weeks.

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Caroline Stewart

Ecstra Foundation’s inaugural National Financial Wellbeing Summit last week highlighted the growing support for a nationally coordinated financial strategy as way of improving Australians’ financial and overall wellbeing.

The event emphasised the importance of building an integrated approach to financial wellbeing by supporting individual financial capability, while also addressing the broader systems, policies and market structures that shape people’s financial lives.

Bringing together leaders from government, business, education and community sectors, the discussion was focused on practical approaches to help build a better financial future for all Australians.

With an address from the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Hon. Dr Daniel Mulino MP (pre-recorded), and a keynote delivered by ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland, sessions examined the drivers of economic inequality, the balance required between regulation and education, and how greater cross sector collaboration can influence financial, mental, and social health outcomes.

A key focus was on the importance of embedding financial education across schools, homes, and workplaces, to ensure young people develop the skills and confidence they need to make informed financial choices at key life stages.

Ecstra Foundation CEO Caroline Stewart, said the Summit came at a time of national momentum around improving financial wellbeing and literacy, particularly for young people.

“There’s increasing demand for practical, engaging financial education. We know that starting money lessons early builds lifelong knowledge and capability, and programs like our own Talk Money school workshops are helping normalise these conversations in classrooms and at home.

“Australia had been a leader in this space for many years. It was clear from the Summit there is strong support for Ecstra’s call for a more coordinated, national approach to financial capability. This would connect education, policy, and community initiatives to help every Australian build lasting financial wellbeing” she added.

Speaking at the Summit, Roset Khair, Vice President of Economics and Business Educators NSW, a leading advocate for financial literacy education, said there is growing support for schools to embed financial capability in the classroom.

“Financial literacy is an essential life skill and a foundation for overall wellbeing. Teachers see first-hand the positive impact when their students can connect financial concepts to real world decisions.

“Supporting schools-based programs are vital because they provide schools with curriculum aligned resources and tools to teach these skills effectively, while helping to build a culture where learning about money is normal and empowering,” she added.

Ms Stewart said that the Summit is an opportunity to connect classrooms, workplaces and communities with broader systems change.

“Talk Money is just one part of a bigger picture, to ensure every Australian has access to financial education, and that the systems around them support financial inclusion and wellbeing. Events such as the Summit show what is possible when education, policy, and community come together with shared purpose.”

Speakers at the Summit included:

• Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO ACOSS 
• Georgie Harman AO, CEO Beyond Blue
• Miles Larbey, OECD’s head of financial consumer protection, Education & Inclusion Unit
• Leah Bennett, Managing director, First Nations Foundation
• Prof Roslyn Russell, RMIT
• Effie Zahos, 9News money editor
• Janet Liu, group head of social impact and community partnerships ANZ
• Xavier O’Halloran ,CEO, Super Consumers Australia
• Roset Khair, vice president, Economics and Business Educators NSW
• Phil Gardner, CEO ABCN 
• Gerard Brody, commissioner and chairperson, Essential Services Commission Victoria
• Michelle Wright, deputy head of communications and education, RBA
• James Kirby, associate editor – wealth, The Australian.

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Caroline Stewart

Ecstra Foundation is calling on Australia’s next government to commit to a national, comprehensive and coordinated approach to improving financial wellbeing for all Australians as a social and economic imperative.

It says whichever party forms government has a unique opportunity to drive meaningful and lasting change that will improve the lives of Australians for generations.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra Foundation, says multiple factors are eroding Australians’ financial health and the next government should take decisive action to address the underlying issues.

“The cost-of-living crisis, increasing complexity of financial products, growth in insurance premiums, a flood of unfiltered financial content on social media and the proliferation of financial scams come at a time when Australia is experiencing declining financial literacy across the population.  

“It should be concerning to every politician that no progress has been made on improving financial literacy across any age group in Australia since 2016.  We have unfortunately stagnated, and in some areas gone backwards as a nation.”

Ms Stewart pointed out that Australia is increasingly out-of-step with other OECD nations in terms of national approaches to financial capability and literacy.  Over 70 countries, including Poland and Germany most recently, have developed and implemented national strategies to enhance their citizens financial lives. Australia’s National Financial Capability Strategy is currently inactive, leaving the country at risk of lagging behind its international peers.

“We know that financial wellbeing directly influences everyday life – it affects mental, physical, and social health. People need clear guidance on navigating money challenges, including debt management, mortgages, tax obligations, superannuation and planning for the future. Providing access to quality financial information and reinforcing it at key life stages can profoundly impact the health, wealth and wellbeing of all Australians.”

Ms Stewart underscored the importance of equipping Australians with financial knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed decisions about their finances, stating this is essential to fostering long term personal and national economic resilience.

Given the urgent need for action, Ecstra Foundation is calling on the next Government to:

1. Develop, implement and lead a national financial capability strategy.
2. Elevate financial literacy in the Australian school curriculum.
3. Invest in evidence based independent resources, workshops, tools and training to help teachers and schools deliver financial education.

As highlighted in Ecstra’s election priorities, Ecstra is committed to improving financial literacy and wellbeing, with a focus on education. Its Talk Money program is now the largest face to face financial education program offered in schools across Australia, reaching over 400,000 students across 10,000 workshops in just over three years.  Ecstra has also provided $35 million in grant and program funding over four years, supporting consumer and community organisations dedicated to building financial capability and wellbeing at key life stages.

“We will continue to engage with stakeholders across government, financial services, business, education and the broader community to drive progress.  However genuine and lasting change can only be achieved through national leadership and a commitment from the government to make financial literacy a national priority,” Ms Stewart says.

“Elevating financial literacy and capability should not be politically contentious. There is a wealth of experience, established international roadmaps and a proven track record in Australia to guide the development of a new national approach. The next government has the opportunity to lead the way, and gain bipartisan support for a policy that will deliver long lasting net gains to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Australians now and in the future.”

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The report, International Approaches to Progressing Financial Capability^[1], by Social Ventures Australia (SVA), looks at international trends in financial literacy and capability, and identifies key ideas and approaches that may be relevant to the Australian context.

This includes the widespread development and adoption of National level strategies, with the report stating that “more than 70 countries and economies worldwide, including the majority of G20 nations, were designing or implementing National Strategies for financial literacy” as at 2020.

However, in contrast to many OECD peers, Australia’s National Financial Capability Strategy is currently inactive.

“Despite the efforts of a broad range of stakeholders focused on financial capability activities, Australia’s financial literacy levels^[2] are not improving, particularly among younger people. There is a risk we could fall behind globally if action is not taken,” says Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra.

“This is particularly concerning against a backdrop of cost-of-living pressures, as Australians are navigating multiple challenges, economic inequality and the continued proliferation of financial scams.”

Louise Campbell, director of SVA Consulting, says” “Our environmental scan and analysis shows these challenges are not unique to Australia and there are tangible ways to address a range of issues.”

The research identified five key opportunities for Australia:

1. Recommit to a National Strategy for financial literacy and capability – including concrete goals and targets, sustainable funding and outcomes measurement.
2. Map stakeholders, initiatives and funding to better understand the financial capability ecosystem and to identify gaps and opportunities.
3. Convene stakeholders to ensure collaborative action. This includes community and consumer organisations, educators, academics, peak bodies, philanthropic partners, industry and government.
4. Ensure students have access to quality, evidence-based financial education in all schools across Australia.
5. Continue to engage in international initiatives addressing financial capability (e.g. PISA, OECD International Network on Financial Education).

Ms Stewart notes: “National strategies are complex, long term public policy projects. Given the many drivers of financial capability, the range of players involved and policy intersections, government leadership is critical for setting a clear, unified vision and roadmap.“

Ms Campbell agrees that the role of strong leadership cannot be understated when “the complexity of stakeholder coordination was raised as the greatest challenge across all jurisdictions. Clear leadership and effective coordination of activities and policy alignment is a success driver for better financial literacy outcomes.”

Simple, effective actions many countries have already taken include mandating dedicated financial education in schools.

In the US for example, 35 states now require students to take a personal finance course to graduate from high school. The New Zealand government recently announced its intention to make financial literacy compulsory in schools from 2025. This follows trends in many Nordic countries, where financial education is mandatory and higher overall financial literacy rates have been achieved.

Ms Stewart says: “Ecstra runs the largest face to face financial literacy program offered in schools across Australia however a whole systems change approach is needed. We reiterate our call for the government to lead a national financial capability action plan that includes elevating the importance of financial education.

“There are many stakeholders working on financial capability and wellbeing. This provides a strong base for championing a renewed approach to building financial capability to improve the lives of all Australians.”

———-

Notes:
[1] https://www.ecstra.org.au/news/ecstras-releases-research-report-international-approaches-to-progressing-financial-capability
[2] 2022 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey

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Since its launch in February 2022, Talk Money has rapidly expanded to become Australia’s largest face-to-face, free schools based financial education program. Through interactive workshops that help students learn about money lessons for life, the program has reached 262,171 students across 7,000 workshops in 1,125 schools.

Through survey feedback after the workshops, 90 per cent of teachers said their students’ money knowledge had improved and 82 per cent of teachers observed an increase in students’ confidence to manage money. Motivation to achieve financial goals increased and teachers credit the program for covering topics that would not otherwise have been taught in the classroom.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of the Ecstra Foundation, said the results are highly encouraging, but they are only the tip of the iceberg.

“We are seeing huge levels of interest, strong workshop bookings and expanded program reach across all States and Territories. There is clear recognition that financial literacy and knowledge are vital life skills.

“Money habits formed in early adulthood are likely to persist, and financial behaviour has been shown to have a major impact on wellbeing. We need to start money lessons early, teach and reinforce financial decision-making skills through school years and beyond,” Ms Stewart said.

“Talk Money is making a positive impact in schools. However we also know that there is a clear financial literacy knowledge gap in Australia, and one program alone cannot possibly address the national decline in financial literacy levels across all age groups.

“We continue to call for a national financial capability and action plan led by the government to elevate the importance of financial education. This is more important than ever, given the financial challenges people face, including the rising cost of living and vulnerability to scams. This would see a range of stakeholders working together to design evidence-based approaches to effective financial education.”

Dr Tracey West, Ecstra’s financial education manager, says: “Classic budgeting and saving skills are very important; however, the workshops also cover areas such as reading a payslip, superannuation fund selection, and tax.  Notably, year 9 and 10 students who took part in the workshop self-reported a very strong improvement in their ability to manage this kind of work administration.

“The workshops give the students tools to have constructive money conversations, whether with friends and family or in the workplace. After the workshops, 80 per cent of students say they are more confident to talk about money. Crucially, students tell us they have learnt that it is acceptable to decline spending when faced with pressure from others. They are also better equipped to recognise when they are being influenced by advertising.”

She added that while schools remain an important learning environment for teaching practical money skills, there are many barriers to schools implementing effective financial education in classroom settings.

“Almost all teachers (95 per cent) found it useful to have an external facilitator covering the topics taught in the workshop.

“In addition to workshops, Talk Money provides curriculum-aligned teaching resources to support teachers,” Dr West said.

Read the Impact Report.

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Teaching students the financial fundementals of earning is absolutely crucial to help them succeed in the workplace.

A nationwide program launched with the ambitious aim of bridging the persistent financial education gap in schools has delivered promising results in its first year.

Ecstra Foundation’s Financial education in schools Impact Report 2022, shows that the Talk Money program has made an immediate and positive impact on the financial literacy, knowledge and confidence of over 100,000 school students across Australia.

Caroline Stewart, Ecstra Foundation’s CEO says “Talk Money is an evidence based, curriculum aligned program that teaches students foundational financial literacy skills such as healthy saving habits, managing spending, setting goals and financial decision making, with the overall aim of building financial wellbeing.

“We know that financial wellbeing is aligned to the economic and social goals set out in the Government’s new Measuring What Matters – Australia’s First Wellbeing Framework. However, achieving outcomes across many economic and social indicators may prove difficult if the worsening gap in financial literacy and capability across all age groups in Australia is not addressed.

“Young people aged 15 – 24 fare the worst, with many leaving school without much needed practical financial decision making skills as they undertake further study and work, and grapple with the cost of living pressures of housing, transport and student debt.

An important and obvious practical first step is to provide dedicated financial education in schools,” Ms Stewart says.

Where students previously lacked knowledge and skills in the basics of saving, spending, earning and goal setting, the evaluation data showed impressive uplifts after attending the Talk Money workshops, including:

• 85 per cent of Year 5 and 6 students can now identify different ways to save (42 per cent increase).
• 78 per cent of Year 7 and 8 students now understand the importance of saving to achieve their goals (45 per cent increase).
• 88 per cent  of Year 5 and 6 students believe they can learn to save and spend money well (29 per cent increase).
• 95 per cent of all students say they learnt something in the workshops they can use.

“For example, a Year 5 Victorian school student said the “super saving strategy” taught in the workshop would help them save and learn more about how to make their financial goals a success. In a Year 9 & 10 Northern Territory workshop students realised their pay had been wrongly calculated resulting in underpayment, and they were provided with the tools to raise this with their employer,” Ms Stewart said.

On workplace outcomes, 75 per cent of Year 9 and 10 students stated that they now know how to manage work administration including their tax and super, up from 34 per cent prior to attending the workshops – a remarkable 122 per cent increase.

Additionally, 87 per cent of students now understand their rights at work (80 per cent increase), 86 per cent know where to seek information and support about their rights at work (92 per cent increase) and 76 per cent feel capable of discussing this with their employer (69 per cent increase).

“With Australian youth employment rates at a record high, teaching students the financial fundementals of earning such as calculating and reading payslips, tax, superannuation and understanding their rights at work as they get their first job is absolutely crucial to help them succeed in the workplace,” she said.

Teacher support and feedback has been instrumental in ensuring the program’s effectiveness and rapid expansion into a range of schools. In a crowded curriculum, providing schools with access to the workshops, up to date resources and tools to support effective learning in classrooms and at home is essential.

“The feedback is very strong with 91 per cent of teachers reporting improved financial knowledge among students after participating in the workshops, and 100 per cent of teachers saying the workshops are relevant to their students’ lives. 69 per cent  of teachers also said their confidence in teaching money management improved due to participating in the workshop.”

The program encourages students to engage outside of schools with their parents, caregivers and employers about money matters, and provides links to important government services, including the Fair Work Ombusdman, ASIC’s Moneysmart, the ATO and the ACCC.

In 2022, the Talk Money program reached 105,972 student bookings across 3,096 workshops in 527 schools, with a presence in all Australian states and territories. A significant proportion of schools in lower socio-economic areas (29%) and regional and rural locations (21%) benefited from the program. Talk Money bookings are on track to double in 2023, an outstanding result for a new program.

Read the Report.

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The latest HILDA report makes it clear that financial literacy is declining in Australia.

As part of this year’s Global Money Week, the Ecstra Foundation has called for an overhaul of the existing education and support systems to help close the persistent gaps in financial education and literacy affecting many Australians

The most recent Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey of over 17,000 Australians, undertaken by the Melbourne Institute, shows a concerning drop in financial literacy levels across all age groups, with the largest declines amongst 15-24 year olds.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of the Ecstra Foundation, says Global Money Week is an ideal time to raise awareness of the need for more support for financial education in Australian schools and communities.

“Global Money Week focuses on the importance of ensuring that young people are financially aware, are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately can achieve financial wellbeing.

“Financial wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the overall physical, mental and social health of individuals and communities. However improving outcomes across these domains is almost impossible to achieve if we don’t acknowledge and address the long standing gaps in financial literacy and capability nationally.

“The latest HILDA report makes it clear that financial literacy is declining in Australia and this is a significant concern particularly at time when cost of living pressures are starting to hit home,” Stewart says.

According to the HILDA report, “The unavoidable conclusion is that no progress has been made on improving the financial literacy of the Australian population since 2016 and in fact we have gone backwards”.

Whilst there are a range of consumer advocates, educators, community organisations, academics, and financial institutions engaged in financial capability work, Stewart says the HILDA data, as well as other similar studies, are a stark reminder that without a holistic approach to financial education, there will continue to be a decline in financial literacy in Australia.

“For example, although the Australian school curriculum includes financial literacy – mostly through subjects such as maths, humanities, economics and business studies – there isn’t a consistent approach to designing, teaching, supporting and measuring the effectiveness of financial education initiatives.

“Indeed, the effectiveness of individual financial literacy interventions is a question often raised by commentators and some consumer advocates, and I understand these concerns.

“In a complex world with increasing cost of living pressures and financial stress for many households, no amount of personal finance education can ever act as a substitute for consumer protection mechanisms, backed by strong regulatory oversight.

“However, learning about money is a lifelong journey. School and community programs are a vital part of the solution, but not the whole solution.

“This is why we believe the Australian Government needs to step up and recommit to  the National Financial Capability Strategy, which Treasury took over from ASIC in 2021. A lead agency could drive the strategy and outcomes including coordinating the efforts of the many organisations working to support consumers, and clearly communicate the benefits of a national approach working to build the future economic security and wellbeing of all Australians,” Stewart says.

Ecstra launched its Talk Money program in February 2022 in response to the financial education gap in Australian schools. The in-classroom workshops teach foundational money lessons for life, are interactive to encourage students to ask questions, discuss what they are learning and take those lessons home to share. The program is offered free to all schools for years 5-10.

“Financial education plays a key role in building financial capability.  Schools provide an important learning environment to teach practical money skills, but they also need to be supported with up to date resources, tools and incursion opportunities to teach it effectively,” Stewart says.

In Ecstra’s National financial education in schools survey, 98 per cent of parents and teachers agreed that financial education is important, but 68 per cent of parents didn’t know or thought their child was not learning about it in schools.

The goal of Talk Money is to help Australian school students learn money lessons for life, to be confident talking about money and to make informed financial decisions. Over 110,000 students have participated in the program since launch in February 2022.

Ecstra Foundation is a national charitable foundation committed to building the financial wellbeing of Australians, within a fair financial system. Ecstra works with other 80 partners across government, communities, academics and business.

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Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

Women’s progress to financial equality with men suffered a setback in the June quarter, as COVID shock factors put the brakes on the female-led recovery at the start of 2021, the latest Financy Women’s Index (FWX) June quarter report shows.

While the FWX rose by 0.9% to 72.2 points in the June quarter, the pace of progress is slower than the 1.06% recorded in the March quarter 2021.

The June quarter result was helped by a fresh record high in the number of women occupying ASX 200 board positions to 33.5% and a narrowing of the gender gap in the underemployment rate.

However digging deeper into the closing of the gender gap in the underemployment rate, it appears less affected by actual progress for women and instead reflects more women opting out of work.

“While the long-term trend for women’s economic progress is still one of improvement, as we continue to combat the pandemic, women remain particularly vulnerable to lockdowns and the disruptions from public health and social distancing orders,” said Financy CEO Bianca Hartge-Hazelman.

“The concern is that the longer the pandemic continues, unpaid work seems to rise and the harder it is for many women to participate in the workforce to their full potential,” said Ms Hartge-Hazelman.

Unlike any other economic crisis in Australia’s history, the fallout from the COVID-pandemic has exacerbated the financial inequalities faced by women and the most vulnerable.

In the March quarter of 2021, the Australian economy was picking up, helped by a female-led employment recovery in sectors most hit by the pandemic such as Retail Trade and Food and Accommodation Services.

However, the recovery started to come off the boil in June and the number of monthly hours worked by females fell by 2.3%, almost five times that seen among males and contrasting to a 4.6% gain for women in the March quarter.

The gender pay gap also widened to 14.2% from 13.4%, reflecting the biggest dollar difference ($261) between men and women’s full-time weekly wages since 2016.

“The pink recession, she-cession, pink-collar recession – whatever you want to call it, the impact of COVID-19 has not been gender-neutral,” said Deloitte Access Economics partner, Simone Cheung.

“We continue to see Australia’s key economic indicators bounce around as we cycle in and out of lockdowns and varying degrees of restrictions, and women have tended to be more impacted by the pandemic.

“Interestingly, this release of the Financy Women’s Index shows a big improvement in the gender underemployment gap. But digging a little deeper, there were less women in part-time work who preferred more hours. This means women are not only impacted by economic cycles, but they are also more likely to willingly opt out of the workforce or reduce work hours due to non-economic reasons,” said Ms Cheung.

“Why? Women are much more likely to stop looking for work due to childcare and other family considerations or caring responsibilities compared to men.”

While the FWX rose slightly in the June quarter, the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns appear to be continuing to exacerbate existing financial inequalities between men and women in critical areas like pay and hours worked.

AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver said that “even abstracting from the impact of the pandemic we have a long way to go before women attain financial equality with men.

“In some ways the pandemic – by accelerating progress towards more flexible working – may ultimately help progress towards financial equality for women. But at this stage we are still a long way from that,” said Dr Oliver.

In the 12-months to date, the FWX is down 1% from a record high of 72.9 points in June 2020. But when comparing the FWX score to December 2019, progress is up a much more positive 4%.

The Women’s Index June report supports the argument for immediate attention at a government and business level to address long-standing financial inequalities that directly impact the most vulnerable, particularly women, during times of crisis.

Caroline Stewart, CEO of Ecstra Foundation observed that “financial inequality remains a major obstacle to the progress of women, including women in caring roles.

“Ecstra strongly supports the publication of Financy Index, which highlights the challenges women face in relation to gender equality and financial security,” said Ms Stewart.

It will take at least 21 years for parity to be achieved in the gender pay gap, at least 31 in employment, 16 years in the underemployment rate and 7 years for 50/50 gender diversity to be achieved on ASX 200 boards.

Overall, the most significant obstacle relates to unpaid work. It will take 101 years before equality is achieved in this area and before we can say equality has been achieved across all areas of financial inequality measured in the FWX.

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