Australia has broken into the top 10 of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, ranking eighth out of 148 countries – its highest ranking ever.
The 2026 report marks a significant climb for Australia, moving up 35 places from 43rd since the Albanese government took office.
The government credits this historic high to improved political representation (including a majority-female cabinet), expanded paid parental leave, wage increases in female-dominated sectors and new investments in women’s health.
Anthony Albanese said in a statement that the ranking “slipped to an all-time low of 50th under the previous Coalition government” and acknowledged that the work must continue:
double quotation markThe job is not done and we will continue to focus our efforts on lifting wages, ending gender-based violence, increasing female representation in workplaces, investing in women’s health and more.
The minister for women, Katy Gallagher, said the record ranking was “not by accident”, also recognising areas for improvement:
double quotation markWe know there is more work to do across our priorities of ending violence against women, valuing care, improving women’s economic empowerment, improving women’s health outcomes and strengthening women’s leadership and representation – this is just one measure that shows Australia is moving in the right direction.
International student visa changes expected
International students will see some of the biggest changes in the reform of immigration settings.
Last year Australia issued more than 337,000 international student visas, of which about 45,000 went to dependents or family members of the primary applicant. The vast majority of students will now be expected to be required to come alone.
Burke gave a preview in parliament yesterday.
double quotation markWe do need to get net overseas migration down.
We need to make sure that we deal with the numbers overall, and do so in a sensible, a targeted way that provides the easiest pathway through the Australian economy.
Burke’s speech kicks off at 12. 30pm today.
Foreign students will face tough restrictions on the ability to bring family members into Australia under big changes to the country’s immigration system.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, will reveal the changes today at the National Press Club, after plans for a speech more than a month ago were derailed.
Burke’s plan is designed to bring down net overseas migration (Nom) while doing the least damage to the economy.
His speech is titled: “The work of managing the migration program: Who arrives, who stays, who leaves”.
The plan will shift some rules for visa categories away from demand-driven settings, introduced during the Howard government, allowing more control on the numbers of people coming into, and departing, the country.
Labor plans to use legislation to gain more control over arrival numbers but could rely on regulation and directives to departmental officials if it cannot find agreement in parliament.
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Krishani Dhanji with the main action.
Foreign students will face tough restrictions on the ability to bring family members into Australia under big changes to the country’s immigration system to be announced at the National Press Club this lunchtime by Tony Burke. More details coming up.