Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) has released its Gender Analysis of the Victorian Government’s 2026–27 State Budget, examining how current investments respond to gender inequality, women’s health and wellbeing, and the broader structural conditions shaping women’s lives across Victoria.
The release accompanies WHISE’s earlier public response to the Budget, “A platform to build on: WHISE responds to the 2026–27 Victorian Budget”, which acknowledged important investments in women’s health, cost-of-living relief and social infrastructure, while also highlighting the need for sustained structural investment in prevention, equity and community-based health systems. WHISE has also publicly supported the response and advocacy of the Women’s Health Services Network regarding the long-term sustainability of Victoria’s women’s health infrastructure.
This is the fifth Victorian Budget gender analysis produced by WHISE and reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to applying a gender lens to public policy, investment and systems reform. The annual analysis has become a regular part of WHISE’s policy and advocacy work, aimed at helping strengthen public understanding of how budgets shape equity outcomes in everyday life — including access to health care, safety, housing, transport, education, economic participation and community wellbeing.
The analysis draws on WHISE’s expertise in gender impact assessment, health promotion and systems change, alongside the organisation’s work across local government, health services, education, workforce development and primary prevention. It also reflects WHISE’s longstanding view that budgets are not gender neutral, and that public investment decisions play a critical role in either reinforcing or reducing inequality.
WHISE CEO Kit McMahon said the annual analysis is intended to support stronger public conversation about the relationship between fiscal policy, prevention and gender equality.
“Budgets are one of the clearest expressions of government priorities and values. They shape who benefits, who carries risk, and where systems invest their attention and resources,” said McMahon.
“For WHISE, undertaking a gender analysis of the State Budget is part of our broader role in supporting more equitable policy and decision-making. It is about helping make visible the different ways women experience economic, social and health systems — and the structural conditions that shape those experiences.”
The analysis acknowledges the challenging fiscal environment facing Victoria, while recognising that the Budget continues to invest in a range of initiatives that will have meaningful impacts for women, families and communities — particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, transport and cost-of-living support.
WHISE notes that the Budget reflects both the opportunities and tensions facing government at a time of increasing service demand, cost-of-living pressures and widening inequality.
“Victoria continues to have one of the strongest policy foundations for gender equality in Australia. This Budget demonstrates that gender equality remains part of the Government’s agenda, even in a constrained fiscal environment,” McMahon said.
“At the same time, the Budget also highlights the growing challenge of sustaining long-term structural reform in the context of increasing fiscal pressure and rising demand across health and social systems.”
The analysis highlights that investments in healthcare, public transport affordability, education, family supports and community infrastructure will provide tangible benefits for many women and families. However, WHISE warns that without sustained and systemic investment in prevention, gender equality infrastructure and community-based health promotion, Victoria risks slowing progress on the underlying drivers of inequality and gender-based violence.
The report particularly emphasises the importance of maintaining investment in the systems, partnerships and organisations that support prevention and early intervention approaches, including women’s health services, gender equality capability and place-based community infrastructure.
“Women’s health services are part of the essential social infrastructure that helps make systems work better for women,” McMahon said.
“This includes supporting prevention of gender-based violence, improving equity in health and community systems, strengthening workforce participation and inclusion, and ensuring policy responses reflect the realities of women’s lives and communities.”
The report also notes that while cost-of-living relief measures are important, many women — particularly those experiencing intersecting forms of disadvantage — continue to face structural barriers relating to housing, insecure work, caring responsibilities, safety and access to healthcare.
WHISE’s analysis draws on the Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Budget Statement, broader budget papers and WHISE’s experience supporting gender impact assessment and gender equality reform across Victoria. The work aligns with the broader role of Victorian Women’s Health Services in connecting statewide policy with local implementation and helping build “a stronger, fairer health system for all women.”
The analysis is intended to support discussion across government, local government, community organisations and industry about how Victoria can continue building a fairer, healthier and more gender equitable future.
Download the report and summary:
- WHISE Gender Analysis of the 2026-27 State Budget FINAL
- Accessible WHISE Gender Analysis of the 2026-27 State Budget FINAL
- GENDER ANALYSIS OF THE 2026-27 VICTORIAN STATE BUDGET One Page