Did you know that women in Australia reach retirement age with, on average, 25% less superannuation than men?
This gap is more than just a statistic. It affects financial independence, long-term security, and retirement outcomes for women across Australia. The superannuation gender gap reflects broader inequalities linked to career breaks, caregiving responsibilities, lower average earnings, and reduced super contributions over time.
At eairwoman, we believe it’s time to change the narrative.
With our free, private, and easy-to-use platform, we empower Australian women to take control of their retirement savings and improve their long-term financial wellbeing.
Let’s work together to reduce the gender gap in superannuation and create a more secure financial future for women.
The Scale of the Superannuation Gender Gap
The superannuation gender gap continues to affect women throughout different stages of life and retirement planning. Lower earnings, interrupted career pathways, and reduced super contributions all contribute to the retirement savings gender gap seen across Australia today.
Understanding what drives the women superannuation gap is an important step toward making informed financial decisions and improving retirement outcomes over time.
Why Is There a Gender Gap in Super Between Women and Men?
Most Women Work in Casual or Part-Time Work Structures
According to the NSW Government, 39% of female employees in NSW were part-time workers compared to 18% of men in 2021.
Women often receive lower super contributions due to part-time or casual work arrangements. These employment structures generally result in reduced earnings and fewer superannuation benefits compared to full-time roles. This contributes directly to the superannuation gender gap and can affect long-term superannuation planning.
Having Time Off Due to Caring for Family or Maternity Leave
Taking time off work to care for children or family members can create significant gaps in retirement savings. Career interruptions linked to caregiving responsibilities often reduce income and super contributions during key earning years.
This unpaid or lower-paid caregiving time can also limit opportunities for women to make voluntary contributions to help offset the shortfall later in life. Over time, these interruptions contribute to the broader retirement savings gender gap experienced by many Australian women.
Shortfall of Flexible Work Arrangements
Limited access to flexible work arrangements can heighten the gender gap in superannuation and reduce career progression opportunities for women. Without workplace flexibility, many women may reduce their hours or move into lower-paying roles to balance caregiving responsibilities.
Despite this, a recent report from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency concluded that Australian workplaces are gradually evolving, creating more opportunities for flexible work arrangements.
Women Typically Earn Less Than Men
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the national gender pay gap is 11.5%.
Due to ongoing pay disparities, women continue to earn less than men across many industries and occupations, even in comparable roles. Lower wages mean lower superannuation contributions over time, placing women at a disadvantage when planning for retirement.
The combined effect of lower income, reduced contributions, and career interruptions continues to widen the women superannuation gap across Australia.
To learn more about the relationship between income inequality and retirement outcomes, read our article ‘Women and Retirement – Part 2: The Gender Pay Gap’.
Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave Scheme – 1 July 2025
The Australian Government has taken a significant step towards addressing the superannuation gender gap with proposed changes to the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme, set to take effect from 1 July 2025, subject to legislative approval.
These changes include:
- Extended Leave Duration – Starting from 1 July 2024, an additional two weeks of payments will be added to the scheme annually, increasing the total duration by six weeks by July 2026.
- Encouraging Shared Care – From July 2026, four weeks of leave will be reserved for each parent in a couple on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis, encouraging a more equal sharing of caregiving responsibilities.
- Increased Flexibility – Families will be able to take up to four weeks of Parental Leave Pay concurrently, supporting parents during the early stages of caregiving.
Career breaks linked to caregiving responsibilities often create significant gaps in retirement savings, disproportionately affecting women. These changes aim to support stronger long-term retirement outcomes and improve financial security for future generations.
How Can You Maximise Your Super?
Staying informed about the Australian superannuation system is an important part of investment planning for women and improving long-term retirement outcomes.
Below are a few practical ways to make the most of your superannuation:
1. Ensure Your Employer Is Paying Your Super
Your employer is required to pay the minimum Super Guarantee (SG), currently set at 11% of your wages. Regularly reviewing your super statements can help ensure contributions are being paid correctly and on time.
2. Boost Your Super with Extra Contributions
Consider making voluntary contributions to your superannuation fund. Even small, regular contributions can grow over time through compound interest and strengthen your retirement savings.
Options such as salary sacrificing or after-tax contributions may help improve your long-term financial position and reduce the impact of the gender gap in superannuation.
3. Consolidate Your Super Accounts
If you have multiple super accounts, consolidating them into one account may reduce fees and make your super easier to manage. Before consolidating, review any insurance cover or benefits attached to your existing accounts.
4. Track Down Lost Super
There is an estimated $16 billion in lost and unclaimed super across Australia. To check whether you have any lost super, log into myGov, connect your account to ATO online services, and search for unclaimed balances.
5. Educate Yourself and Seek Advice
Understanding superannuation planning is an important part of building financial confidence. Free webinars, educational resources, and professional financial advice can help you make informed decisions about your future retirement goals.
Please refer to MoneySmart for guidance relating to your finances and retirement planning.
Try the eairwoman App and Start Saving Today
Planning for retirement does not need to feel overwhelming. The eairwoman app is designed to support women with practical tools, retirement insights, and superannuation planning resources.
Use the app to:
- Track your super contributions in real time
- Access the “What-If” calculator to explore the long-term effects of salary sacrifice, career breaks, or additional contributions
- Visualise your financial future and make informed decisions to optimise your retirement savings
Start today by downloading the eairwoman app and taking control of your superannuation with confidence.
Take Charge of Your Super Today
Your superannuation is one of the most important tools for creating long-term financial security and a comfortable retirement.
By staying informed, making strategic contributions, and using tools like the eairwoman app, you can take meaningful steps towards reducing the superannuation gender gap and improving your financial future.
Get started today by downloading the app and empowering yourself with the tools to take control of your super.
Contact us for any questions regarding the app.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for you and seek professional advice where necessary.
