The conversation women can’t afford to avoid

March 18, 2026 — 5:00am

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Picture a typical Friday night, mums catching up, glass in hand, nibbles on the table. The conversation floats from kids’ antics to work wins, weekend plans and the neighbour’s questionable renovations. Practically nothing is off limits. Except money.

It’s a curious thing. Australian women are more educated and active in the workforce than ever, yet we’re still reluctant to chat openly about our finances. Not with our girlfriends, not between generations, and not early enough to make a difference to our financial futures.

Even as a professional economist, I am more likely to talk about the shoes I covet than how to pay for them. If those of us who live and breathe finance aren’t talking about money, who is?

The latest figures from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency are sobering, showing Australia’s gender pay gap is still above 11 per cent. Women are retiring with less super, are less likely to own their homes, and have lower wealth than men. They are also feeling higher financial stress. In 2024, 23 per cent of Australian women were struggling to meet financial commitments such as paying bills or a mortgage on time, or even going without meals, according to data from The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. That’s nearly one in four. It’s not just a statistic. It’s your sister or friend. Maybe it’s you?

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© The Age