NSW Gender Impact Assessment Resource Hub

We have a range of gender impact assessment resources and guidance material to help you to complete a high-quality gender impact assessment on the proposal.

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Gender Impact Assessments

Gender impact assessments (GIAs) consider how a proposed policy, program or project may have different impacts on people based on their gender; this includes women, men and gender-diverse people.  

GIAs support the NSW Government in making better-informed decisions when designing policy and allocating resources to meet the needs of the people it serves.  

All new measures over $10 million (unless exempt) are required to undergo a gender impact assessment. 

Gender Impact Assessment Policy

The TPG23-27 Gender Impact Assessment Policy provides guidance to general government sector agencies on when and how to produce gender impact assessments for new proposals.

Read the Gender Impact Assessment Policy (PDF 658.07KB)

Gender Impact Assessment Template

Template to complete a Gender Impact Assessment for submission with new policy proposals.

Download the Gender Impact Assessment Template (DOCX 2.25MB)

eLearning

We have developed a range of gender impact assessment eLearning modules, including: 

  • Module A: An introduction to gender impact assessments
  • Module B: How to complete a gender impact assessment – Part 1
  • Module C: How to complete a gender impact assessment – Part 2.

We recommend watching all 3 modules in order. These modules, as well as the resources and guidance material will give you the tools to complete a high-quality gender impact assessment on the proposal.

Module A - An introduction to gender impact assessments

16:47

Module A - An introduction to gender impact assessments

This is the first module in a series of eLearning videos, to help complete a high-quality gender impact assessment on the proposal.

Read transcript
Video transcript

Module A - An introduction to gender impact assessments

Module A Introduction 

Welcome to “An introduction to g,ender impact assessments” Module A.  

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of Australia, and the oldest continuing culture in human history. We pay respect to Elders past and present and commit to respecting the lands we walk on, and the communities we walk with.

Introduction to gender impact assessments and eLearning 

The NSW Government is committed to promoting gender equality through the development of public policy.  

Gender equality is central to our individual wellbeing, the wellbeing of our community, and the performance of our state’s economy.  

To improve gender equality in New South Wales, we need to remove the barriers that prevent women from realising their potential, and we need to better value the economic and social contributions that women make.  

Gender equality is about creating a fairer future for women and girls, and people of all genders. Gender equality benefits everyone in our community.  

While gender equality is everyone’s responsibility, the NSW Government is committed to leading the way.

Gender impact assessments support the NSW Government in developing policies and programs that create better and fairer outcomes for people of all genders and ensure everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.

In our role as government employees we have an obligation to provide the evidence and analysis so that decision-makers in NSW can make informed decisions.

Gender impact assessments can support this obligation.

From October 2024, agencies are required to complete gender impact assessments on all budget proposals unless exempt. The exemption criteria are detailed in the Gender Impact Assessment Policy.  

This means agencies need to start applying a gender lens to the development of all new policies, programs and projects as soon as practical to examine how the proposal impacts people based on their gender.

Gender impact assessments can improve government interventions by embedding gender equality considerations into policy design and implementation.

This training will introduce you to gender impact assessments and give you the information you need to undertake them. The training covers:

Module A – An introduction to gender impact assessment, including what it is and why it’s important.

Module B – How to complete a gender impact assessment – Part 1.  

This module will cover question 1 in the gender impact assessment process and help you to gather your own data and evidence.

Module C - How to complete a gender impact assessment – Part 2.  

This module will take you through questions 2 to 6 in the process, supporting you with practical tips and examples.

We’ll be looking closely at how gender inequality plays out in our lives. We recognise that learning about this topic can be uncomfortable.

This training isn’t timed. Take a break if you need to.  

We encourage you to reach out if you need support. These are some confidential sources of support available to you, including Lifeline, 1800RESPECT, 13YARN, the NSW Mental Health Line and your Employee Assistance Program.

Key definitions 

Before we start – let’s go through some key definitions.  

Did you know that sex and gender don’t mean the same thing? Sex refers to the biological traits associated with male, female and intersex people.  

And Gender is a social construct. It refers to the social roles, norms and behaviours associated with women, men, and gender-diverse people.

Gender shapes the way we experience the world, how we perceive others and how they perceive us. It’s expressed in different ways, across different cultures and changes over time.

We’re using inclusive language – so when we refer to ‘women’ or ‘men’, we mean all people who identify as that gender, including transgender and cisgender people.

And ‘gender diverse people’ includes those who identify as non-binary, transgender or any other term within the spectrum between the binaries of woman and man.

What is gender inequality? 

And what do we mean by gender inequality?

Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment and opportunities experienced by individuals based on their gender. It’s a pervasive form of inequality that affects societies worldwide, and it intersects with other forms of inequality such as race, ethnicity, disability, age and sexual orientation.

Gender inequality may be embedded in the systems that our society is built on – including our education, health, justice and welfare systems.  Consider our superannuation system which is linked to full-time earnings. Because women are more likely to be in and out of the workforce due to caring responsibilities, and earning less, there’s a significant gender gap in retirement savings.

Gender inequality is embedded within institutional or organisational cultures such as in the workplace. Consider the practices that all leadership roles should be full-time or that flexible work is only for working mothers.

There’s also a collective layer – the social norms that are held by our community. Such as the stereotype that ‘boys don’t cry’ or the idea that certain jobs are for men – like construction – or nursing for women.

Gender inequality exists in our interpersonal relationships, and we see this manifested in domestic violence. Gender inequality is a root cause of violence against women.  We also see this in everyday sexism in the workplace – such as the idea that a colleague will take the minutes in a meeting or clean up after a morning tea – because she’s a woman.

Gender inequality is also internalised – these are the beliefs that people sometimes hold about their role in society, what they can achieve and how they can express themselves because of their gender. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? To what extent was this shaped by gender norms?

Is gender inequality still an issue? 

Gender inequality has important economic and social implications.  

The different layers of gender inequality impact the NSW economy in different ways.

While our perceptions around leadership are slowly changing, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the private and public sector.  

Social norms reinforce that certain occupations and industries better suit women or men. This disparity in the gender composition across NSW industries hasn’t materially improved in the past four decades. The health care, education and retail sectors have become increasingly female-dominated – while the mining, construction and electricity sectors have made only minor gains in increasing the number of women.

Women also continue to carry out a disproportionate share of unpaid care work in NSW. This is linked to gendered expectations that women should be primary caregivers.

This also has implications for the NSW workforce. Women’s labour force participation is rising but the gap in workforce participation between women and men remains. This gap increases further for women who face other forms of discrimination such as for First Nations, regional, and older women.

A disproportionate number of women also work part-time compared to men.  

The gender pay gap is the difference between women’s and men’s full-time average earnings. It’s driven by the interplay of gender discrimination, caring and family responsibilities, and gender segregation within different industries and occupations.  

The gender pay gap contributes to women’s lower lifetime economic security – resulting in women having lower average superannuation compared to men. This is the case across every age group.  

As you can see – when you’re looking for at it – gender inequality is having a big impact on how our NSW economy operates.

For current data on these economic indicators, check the NSW Gender Impact Assessment Resource Hub and the NSW Gender Equality Dashboard.

Gender inequality impacts people differently 

Another important concept of gender equality is intersectionality. Intersectionality recognises that women don’t all experience gender inequality in the same way – and this is key to understanding how inclusion and exclusion play out across society.

Let’s hear Dr. Emma Fulu from The Equality Institute explain intersectionality:

Intersectionality is a really important concept, and we want to get it right. I know it's a buzz word, you've probably heard it used around but the question is, what does it actually mean? I can't explain this in a single sentence because it's incredibly complicated and some people just think intersectionality is about diversity and about listening to different experiences but it's not.  

Intersectionality is about systems of oppression and changing those systems of oppression so ending racism, addressing homophobia, addressing sexism together. That's what intersectionality is about.

So I want to unpack the concept of intersectionality, using an example. I'm going to use the example of violence against women.

Violence against women occurs in every country on earth. No culture, age group, religious group, is immune.

Women experience violence because of their gender, and gender inequality creates the underlying conditions that enable violence to occur.

But some people and communities are at greater risk of experiencing violence.

For example, two in 5 women with a disability have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

Women living in remote and rural areas are more likely to experience violence than those in capital cities.

And Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are significantly more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women. The list goes on.

So what's going on here? Why are some people more likely to experience violence? This is where the concept of intersectionality is key. It's not that certain groups of people are inherently more violent or inherently more vulnerable…

…it’s that we still live within a society with racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia and other forms of oppression.

These systems of discrimination and disadvantage intersect with gender inequality to make some people more likely to experience violence.

So as an example, gender inequality intersects with ableism, which results in women with disability experiencing higher rates of violence against women.

So this results in higher rates of violence being perpetrated against particular women and gender-diverse people, often in complex ways with severe impacts. And it also means that they often face barriers in accessing support. So why does this even matter? If we just looked at gender inequality on its own, that's not going to work for most women, because most women don't experience that on it’s own.

Taking an intersectional approach matters.

When we look deeper into the data we can see why applying an intersectional approach to policy-making matters. It helps us to see that gender inequality isn’t experienced in the same way by everyone.

For example, data shows that First Nations women are three times more likely to be victims of domestic and family violence than non-Indigenous women.  

First Nations women also have a lower workforce participation rate in NSW compared to non-Indigenous women and First Nations men.  

In the 2021 Census, the workforce participation rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females in New South Wales was 56 per cent, compared to 59 per cent for non-Indigenous females.

Considering the particular needs of First Nations women and other women at higher risk of different types of discrimination – is crucial to design effective and culturally safe solutions.

Now that we understand some of the key concepts, let’s delve deeper into what we mean by gender impact assessment.

So, what is a gender impact assessment?  

A gender impact assessment considers how a proposed policy, program or project will meet the needs of people based on their gender – this includes women, men and gender diverse people.  

The aim of gender impact assessments is to create better and fairer outcomes and ensure all people have equal access to opportunities and resources.

Where possible, a gender impact assessment should highlight how intersecting aspects of a person’s identity affect the way they experience a proposed initiative.  

These intersecting elements could include:

  • First Nations identity
  • Cultural and racial background
  • Socio economic background
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Disability and age.

A simple way to think about a gender impact assessment is the idea of putting on a gender lens.

Everyone has their own lens, based on their own life experience. You notice different things because of your own experience, your knowledge, and your reality. This is your lens.  

But the thing to understand about lenses – is that we often don’t realise we have them. They’re invisible to us because they’ve always been there… and they can have a powerful impact.  

Applying a gender lens means to carefully and deliberately examine all the implications of our work in terms of gender.

This means paying attention to the ways in which men, women and gender diverse people experience an issue and how they would benefit from or access government policies, programs or projects.

But why does this matter? 

Policies and programs are often designed around data and perspectives which may not explicitly consider the needs, skills and experiences of women and gender diverse people.  

Because of the way gender inequality is baked into our systems and structures – if you’re not intentionally applying a gender lens to the development of policies and programs you could unintentionally entrench discrimination which could cause harm.

You may be surprised to learn that not applying a gender lens can have serious consequences…

When a woman is involved in a car crash, she is more likely than a man to be seriously injured. One of the reasons for this is because safety systems in cars have typically been designed using the male body as the default.  

Gendered impacts are everywhere – they show up in policies, programs, legislation, products and services.  

Car safety, medical research, personal protective equipment, air conditioning temperature, and voice recognition software provide examples of design using data based on the male experience.   Search online for gender gaps in any of these areas to gain an understanding of how design can unintentionally exclude women.

What are the benefits of a gender impact assessment?  

Taking gender into account ensures that policies, programs and projects are designed to be more responsive to the needs of everyone in the community. And this leads to more effective resource allocation.

So now that we know why gender impact assessment matters, let’s learn about how to complete a gender impact assessment.

Modules B and C will take you through the gender impact assessment process. 

Module B - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 1

12:12

Module B - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 1

This is the 2nd module in a series of eLearning videos, to help complete a high-quality gender impact assessment on the proposal.

Read transcript
Video transcript

Module B - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 1

Module B introduction 

Welcome to Module B How to complete a gender impact assessment– Part 1.  

In this Module we’re going to focus on how to complete a gender impact assessment.  

In Module A you learnt what a gender impact assessment is and why it’s important – you should watch Module A before you continue here.

Gender impact assessment template 

We’ll explain how to collect the data and evidence you need to carry out the gender impact assessment and will show you how to complete Question 1 of the gender impact assessment template.

Before we begin, I’d like to introduce you to the NSW Gender Impact Assessment Resource Hub. These resources will save you time when you complete a gender impact assessment.

You can find the Gender Impact Assessment template together with example case studies, guidance materials and data sources.

We also recommend you open the template for easy reference as you work through this module.  

There are 6 questions to complete in the gender impact assessment template.  

In Question 1, you’ll look at the issue and analyse how the issue might affect women, men or gender diverse people differently.

In Question 2, you’ll focus on the proposal and consider the expected positive impacts on women, men or gender diverse people.

In Question 3, you’ll identify any potential risks, barriers or limitations of the proposal on women, men or gender diverse people and identify options to these mitigate these.

In Question 4, you’ll select the gender equality indicators supported by the proposal.

In Question 5, you’ll identify any knowledge gaps about the gendered impacts of the issue.

And in Question 6, you’ll consider how to collect data to monitor or evaluate the gendered impacts of the proposal.

To complete Questions 1, 2 and 3 of the gender impact assessment template you’ll need to gather data and evidence to understand the gendered impacts of the issue and how the proposal might respond to these.

Gathering data and evidence 

So, let’s talk about where you might find this evidence.

When you’re thinking about the evidence it’s helpful to ask:

Do you already have the information you need?  

  • If not, where could you find it?  
  • As a starting point, look at the NSW Gender Impact Assessment Resource Hub, where you’ll find useful data sources, and possibly a case study on a similar issue.

It’s also useful to talk to others in your team and across agencies. A colleague may have worked on a gender impact assessment on a similar issue and be able to give you some ideas for useful data sources.

There are 3 main types of data you can use for the gender impact assessment:  

  • internal data sources
  • desktop research and  
  • meaningful stakeholder engagement. 

As you locate evidence, it’s important to note the data sources – like the website link or the article reference – and record them in the template.

As you’re looking for evidence, you may find there are data gaps in some areas.  

As we discussed in Module A, data relating to women and gender diverse people may be limited or not be available, and there may be gaps – particularly in relation to intersectional data.

If you have any areas where you can’t find data, record this in Question 5 of the template.  

This is a good opportunity to expand the collection of disaggregated data in your agency. If you see a gap – point it out!  

Data types 

Now let’s look at the three different data types.

Consider the internal data collected by your agency – is there any data disaggregated by gender or by other identity attributes?

Internal data may include:

  • previously commissioned research and policy reports
  • project and program evaluation reports
  • complaints handling data
  • customer and end-user data (including from social media)
  • and consultation and policy submissions on a similar issue.  

You might also find a survey has been conducted on an issue similar to the proposal. For example, if the proposal is focused on transport or urban infrastructure development, a previous survey of transport usage or perceptions of safety in the area disaggregated by gender is a good starting point.  

Desktop research is a review of existing research.  

Outside of your agency good sources for gender-specific information include the:

NSW Gender Equality Dashboard 
the Australian Bureau of Statistics 
the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 
and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. 
Comparing different data sets can give you an idea of the bigger picture. For instance, if the proposal was on mental health, you could compare gender-disaggregated data on the use of services with population level data on mental health needs.

If you have difficulty finding NSW-focused data, look to other Australian state or international data sources, which might provide evidence of trends you can explore further in the gender impact assessment.  

For example, UN Women has a global gender data hub and you’ll find many UN resources related to the gendered impacts of climate change.

Stakeholder engagement 

Also consider if there are avenues to gather perspectives directly from women and diverse communities to build your understanding of the context, such as research made by and for community groups.  

When we’re seeking to understand the gendered impact of an issue – it’s important to actively seek out the perspectives, knowledge and experiences of women, men and gender diverse people.

This creates a more empowering space for all members of the NSW community to take part in planning and building responsive public policy and services.

When you’re thinking about who to consult with ask:

  • Have you engaged with the potential ‘users’ of the policy, program or project?  
  • Have you spoken with local women’s organisations or peak bodies that represent diverse groups? This may help to identify barriers and impacts you haven’t considered.
  • Do the stakeholders you’re engaging represent the level of diversity seen in the population who are impacted by the issue? If not, you could be missing valuable insights.  

For example, if the proposal aims to increase household access to renewable energy – consultation in urban and regional areas would be important. You would also need to consider how to consult with those most at risk of energy poverty – including low income households, people with a disability, single individuals and single parent families.  

How you engage with people is just as important as who is engaged.  

How will you ensure stakeholder engagement is accessible?  

Consider things like the time of day, venue accessibility, interpretation services and the limitations of online consultation. Also think about how you will respect and create space for participants’ own contextual knowledge and lived experiences, and how you’ll share the outcomes with participating stakeholders.

If there isn’t time for meaningful stakeholder engagement, you should consider:

  • Previous consultations  
  • Talking to peak body or local community organisations  
  • Establishing an advisory group or other mechanism to capture diverse gender perspectives and ideas  
  • Recommending, as part of the gender impact assessment, that stakeholder engagement forms part of the initial stages of the proposal’s implementation. 

Now that we’ve looked at how to gather data and evidence, let’s focus on what you need to know.

Question 1 

Question 1 in the gender impact assessment template is all about understanding the gendered impacts of the issue the proposal is focused on.  

Firstly, consider – what’s the problem the proposal is aiming to address?  

Now let’s ask – how might this issue affect people of different genders differently?  

For example:

If the proposal is focused on a project to respond to homelessness, you will be asking how homelessness can impact people of different genders and what different supports might be needed.  

And if the proposal is focused on grants for community sport, you might consider how gender inequality affects community sport – including participation and use of sporting facilities – and how community sport can promote gender equality.

While a policy proposal might appear gender neutral on the surface, it can inadvertently reinforce gender inequalities or overlook the specific needs of people due to their gender.  

For instance, investment in a new bike path may appear gender neutral as it benefits all users in the community. But women may have additional safety concerns such as the need for better lighting and exit points along the path.  

The aim of this question is to challenge any assumptions that people are impacted the same way by the issue the proposal is seeking to address  

Take a moment to consider the problem the proposal is seeking a solution for.

Now ask:

  • What are the different ways women, men and gender diverse people access and experience the issue?
  • Do people have different needs due to their gender? 

Think back to Module A and what we learnt about gender equality. How might the different social norms, roles and responsibilities that people take on affect access and use. Do people of different genders have access to the same decision-making power in relation to this issue?

We also need to apply an intersectional lens, so ask:

  • Do intersecting characteristics such as race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or identity, age or socio-economic background impact on these experiences and needs? 

Take a moment to think of any other questions you might ask to understand the gendered impacts of the issue.  

Now you have a list of questions. Use data and evidence to answer them.  

Summarise the findings under Question 1 in the template. Have a look at the gender impact assessment case studies in the resource hub for examples of how to do this.

Don’t forget to reference all data sources as you complete the template.

And if you can’t find data to answer all the questions fully, make sure this is noted in question 5 of the template.

Ideally you will complete Question 1 of your gender impact assessment as early as practical in the design phase of the proposal. This will enable you to use the data and evidence to design the proposal so it considers the needs and experiences of people of all genders, and reduces any barriers or risks.

Now you understand the issues, you’re ready to apply this to the proposal in questions 2 and 3. 

Module C - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 2

9:01

Module C - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 2

This is the 3rd module in a series of eLearning videos, to help complete a high-quality gender impact assessment on the proposal.

Read transcript
Video transcript

Module C - How to complete a gender impact assessment - Part 2

Module C introduction 

Welcome to Module C How to complete a gender impact assessment – Part 2.  

In the previous modules you learnt about what a gender impact assessment is, how to collect the data and evidence you need and the questions to ask to learn more about the gendered impacts of the issue.

You should watch Modules A and B, before this one.

In this module we complete Questions 2 to 6.

Question 2 

Question 2 focuses on the proposal and understanding the expected positive gender impacts.

Here you’ll draw on what the data and evidence told you about the gendered impacts of the issue in Question 1.

In assessing the positive gender impacts of the proposal, the template prompts you to consider three themes:

  1. Economic opportunity and advancement: 
    Will it increase the economic security of women, men or gender diverse people by promoting equal access to employment and career advancement? Will it reduce the gender pay gap, promote workforce inclusivity, or improve access to paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements for men? 
  2. Health and wellbeing:
    Will it support women, men and gender diverse people’s quality of life, safety, and mental and physical health needs? Consider if it will promote safe relationships and communities, raise awareness of the specific health needs for different genders, or offer access to safe housing.
  3. Participation and empowerment:
    Will it challenge gender roles, stereotypes and biases? For example, does it support women, men or gender diverse people to enter certain jobs or industries they were previously discouraged from, or challenge gender norms around unpaid care? 

List all the positive impacts you think may result from the proposal for women, men or gender diverse people in Question 2 of the template. You can do this by theme.

It’s not enough to say that the proposal doesn’t have any gendered impacts – you need to justify this using data and evidence.  

Question 3 

Now in Question 3 it’s time to consider any risks, barriers or limitations that the proposal may have for people of different genders.  

Look back at the data and evidence you’ve collected. What does this tell you about any potential risks, barriers, or ways the proposal may reinforce harmful gender norms?

For example, if the proposal is focused on a male dominated sector, such as a large-scale construction project, and evidence shows that women when compared to men are far more likely to report sexual harassment in this sector, how can the proposal influence safe and respectful work practices?

Or if the proposal is about drought response and evidence shows women are under-represented in environmental management – how can the proposal promote the participation of women from diverse backgrounds in environmental decision-making?

Look at the potential risks, barriers or limitations you’ve identified – what can be done in response?

What changes can you make to the design or implementation of the proposal to mitigate the impacts of these risks?

To improve the proposal consider:

  • procurement processes 
  • leadership opportunities and decision-making 
  • recruitment strategies and workforce training 
  • stakeholder engagement and consultation.  

Don't forget to assess the impact from an intersectional lens as well.  

Question 4 

Question 4 of the template asks you to identify whether the proposal supports any gender equality indicators.

The template lists a range of indicators.  

Gender equality indicators help us to identify progress towards gender equality. Choose one or two of the most relevant indicators for the proposal.  

Looking back at Question 2 and the expected positive impacts you identified, is a useful way to identify the most relevant indicator.

Question 5  

Now we come to Questions 5 and 6. These steps are designed to help build the evidence base across the NSW Government in relation to gender equality.

Here you should note any knowledge gaps identified through the gender impact assessment.  

For example, did you have any problems accessing information to help inform the issue?  

Did you find data, but it wasn’t gender disaggregated?  

Was it difficult to find intersectional data on the issue?  

Was it difficult to find data to understand the experiences of gender diverse people?

Write down any data gaps you identified in Question 5 of the template.

Question 6 

Can the proposal include any actions to help address this knowledge gap?

For example, collecting and monitoring data that is gender disaggregated or including a plan for further stakeholder engagement as part of implementation of the proposal.

Question 6 focuses on monitoring and evaluation.  

Monitoring and evaluation actions are important for tracking if the proposal has had any unintended negative outcomes or has achieved the expected positive impacts you identified in Question 2.

There’s a selection of actions in the template that you may wish to include in the evaluation plan.

For example, you may wish to prepare case studies, develop gender-specific indicators or include gender expertise in the evaluation team.  

You should also review the NSW Evaluation Policy and Guidelines which provide best practice advice for monitoring and evaluation.  

Evaluations or progress updates can also be included in your Department’s Gender Equality Action Plan annual reports.

Final step 

The final step is to summarise the results of the gender impact assessment process.  

This is a high-level summary and will be used for reporting purposes.

You should answer the following questions:

  • Will the proposal likely have positive, neutral or adverse impacts on gender equality?  

On the screen (or below) you can see some examples of positive and adverse impacts. Do any of these apply to the proposal?

Examples of positive impactsExamples of adverse impacts

Contributes to a culture of promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women.

Ensures equitable access to decision-making for women, men and gender diverse people.

Delivers more effective and accessible services for women, men and gender diverse people.

Responds to the specific needs of women, men and gender diverse people.

Identifies barriers to gender equality but does not address them and may lead to further gender inequalities.

Perpetuates inequitable access to resources for women, men and gender diverse people.

Reinforces gender stereotypes and norms.

Does not apply an intersectional lens. 

You should summarise the positive impacts you identified in Question 2. You should also consider any adverse impacts you identified in Question 3. 

If you haven’t identified any positive impacts, or if the adverse impacts outweigh the positive impacts and you haven’t mitigated these risks, then the proposal could have an adverse impact on gender equality.

Your summary should also include any changes which have been made to the proposal as a result of the gender impact assessment. For example, did you change the design of the proposal in any way by including additional actions for specific groups or mitigating measures for specific risks?

You should also describe how any gendered outcomes of the proposal will be monitored. See Question 6 to inform this.

You have finished your gender impact assessment 

You’ve now completed all components of the gender impact assessment process.  

You should include your findings in the business case, including in the distributional analysis, if this is applicable.

Submit the completed gender impact assessment to your NSW Treasury Relationship Lead as an attachment to the budget proposal.

You can also play a key role advocating for the importance of gender impact assessments within your team and your agency.

NSW Treasury is here to support you in your gender impact assessment journey. Please visit the Resource Hub on the NSW Treasury website for further guidance.

Contact us directly via the contact details available on the Hub.  

We hope you see the benefit of putting this training into action as we work towards a more equitable world for women, men and gender diverse people in NSW.

Guidance

Our helpful resources will support and guide you through the Gender Impact Assessment process.

New policy proposals with multiple initiatives

Guidance on completing gender impact assessments on new policy proposals with multiple initiatives.

Infrastructure projects

Guidance on completing gender impact assessments on infrastructure projects.

Grant programs or funds

Guidance on completing gender impact assessments on grants programs or funds.

Example gender impact assessments

Image

Bike riders cycling on a bike path

Infrastructure project: Construction of a new cycleway

Image

Couple of farmers standing on a farm with a dog

Drought preparedness and climate resilience

Image

Busy people and a light rail passing through Capitol Square in the Sydney Central Business District.

Grants program to support a 24-hour economy

Image

Woman wearing a hijab hailing a bus at the bus stop.

Improving regional bus services

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Three male and two female construction workers observing a new construction site.

Infrastructure project: Construction of a new fire station

Frequently asked questions

My NPP is gender neutral. Why should I conduct a gender impact assessment?

While a policy proposal might appear gender neutral on the surface, it can inadvertently reinforce gender inequalities or overlook the specific needs of people due to their gender. For instance, investment in a new bike path may appear gender neutral as it benefits all users in the community, regardless of gender. However, women may have additional safety concerns such as the need for better lighting and exit points along the path.  

Gender impact assessments can help challenge assumptions that all people will benefit from new proposals in the same way and highlight instances where the needs of different genders should be considered in policy design.

NSW Treasury will consider gender impact assessments as part of the evidence base for NPPs. Where practical, gender analysis will be incorporated in information provided to ERC, such as Treasury advice or agency submissions, to inform decision-making. 

Are gender impact assessments required for parameter and technical adjustments?

No. Gender impact assessments are required for NPPs only. 

Are gender impact assessments required for NPPs under $10 million?

No. However, agencies are strongly encouraged to complete gender impact assessments for NPPs under $10 million, particularly for proposals that clearly require gender-based considerations.

I completed a First Nations partnership assessment for my NPP and addressed the impact on gender. Do I need to complete a GIA?

Yes, if the proposal satisfies the eligibility criteria for both the gender impact assessment and the First Nations partnership assessment, you are required to complete both. The impact assessment processes are separate and have a different focus.

  • The gender impact assessment considers new policy proposals from a gender lens, focusing on how the proposed policy, program or project may have different impacts on people based on their gender.
  • A First Nations partnership assessment is specifically tailored towards understanding the unique impacts of the proposal on First Nations communities.

There may be some duplication in the responses where there is overlap between gender and First Nations lenses, as both impact assessments encourage an intersectional approach. However, the answers provided in the gender impact assessment can be referenced in the First Nations partnership assessment and vice versa to avoid duplication.

Are separate gender impact assessments required for each component of a proposal that includes multiple initiatives?

No, one gender impact assessment can be completed for the proposal. Analysis can be included within the gender impact assessment on the individual initiatives within a proposal. There is guidance available on the NSW Treasury website on how to complete a gender impact assessment for proposals that contain multiple initiatives.

How will gender impact assessments be funded?

Conducting a gender impact assessment forms part of good policy development. There are no additional resources available for agencies to complete gender impact assessments.

Can my gender impact assessment be included in the business case?

Yes. Gender impact assessments can be included as an attachment to business cases and referenced within the contents of a business case.

What’s the difference between gender impact assessments and distributional analysis?

Distributional analysis disaggregates the overall impacts of an initiative (and its various options) to indicate which groups bear costs or receive benefits.

While distributional analysis focuses on the outcome of an initiative, gender impact assessments focus on the different needs of women, men and gender diverse people to improve the design of government policy and programs to be effective in achieving the intended outcome. A gender impact assessment is a qualitative assessment that complements, but does not duplicate, distributional analysis.

Analysis conducted in a gender impact assessment may help inform the distributional analysis conducted in a business case.

NSW Treasury will consider gender impact assessments as part of the evidence base for NPPs. Where practical, gender analysis will be incorporated in information provided to ERC, such as Treasury advice or agency submissions, to inform decision-making.

Will gender impact assessments be published?

Potentially, if the proposal is supported by the NSW Government. Some case studies of gender impact assessments may be published in a Gender Equality Budget Statement. Examples can be found in the 2024-25 Gender Equality Budget Statement. Selected case studies will be discussed and developed with the agency owners of the proposal.

Proposals that are not supported remain Cabinet-in-Confidence and their gender impact assessments will not be published.

Other resources

Resources for agencies

  • What is gender budgeting
    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) explains what gender budgeting is.
  • NSW Gender Equality Dashboard
    The dashboard provides an accessible, timely source of data showing progress on key indicators of NSW women's social and economic outcomes.

Resources from other governments

Portfolio specific resources

Cross-portfolio data

Gender disaggregated data

Gender lens frameworks

  • Gender-based Analysis Plus: Gender-based Analysis Plus is an analytical process created by the Status of Women Canada to analyse the gendered aspects of Canadian government policy.
  • Gender wise toolkit: This online resource has been designed by Australians Investing in Women to support grant makers to successfully apply a gender lens.
  • Gender-Responsive Policymaking Handbook: A quick reference guide for integrating gender into each phase of the policymaking process. 

Gender equality

Women in the workplace and leadership

Gender industry and occupational segregation

Women in entrepreneurship

First Nations women

Culturally and linguistically diverse women

Women of different ages

Women with disability

Regional Women

LGBTQIA+ people

Climate change and natural disasters

Climate change is already producing real, measurable impacts. The effects are not experienced equally. Women and girls often face greater challenges which can deepen existing gender inequalities.  

Climate change

Natural disasters

Further information about the gendered impacts of droughts can be found on the Drought preparedness and climate resilience example GIA. 

Communities and justice

The community services sector is a major employer with a highly female dominated workforce. The sector employs more than 240,000 workers in NSW, 80% of which are women. The sector provides essential services to the NSW community, which impact people differently.

For example, First Nations children are 10.5 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be removed by child protection authorities. LGBTIQ+ children and children with disabilities are also over-represented in out of home care.

People are also impacted differently by the criminal justice system. First Nations people are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system.

General data

Crime and justice

Over representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system

Children and families

Carers

First Nations carers

Adoption

Out of home care

First Nations children in out of home care

Children with disabilities in out of home care

LGBTQI+ children in out of home care

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse children in out of home care

Community services workforce

Domestic and family violence

Domestic, family and sexual violence is a gendered issue, women are disproportionately more likely to experience domestic and family and sexual violence. One in four NSW women have experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15 compared to 1 in 8 men.

Women who experience intersecting forms of disadvantage are more likely to experience domestic and family violence (DFV). For example, First Nations women are 3 times more likely to be victims of DFV than non-Indigenous women (PDF 6.02MB). Despite efforts to address domestic, family and sexual violence, this issue persists, reflected in a 5.5% increase in domestic violence assaults in NSW in the 2 years to March 2024.

General data

Intersectional data

Perpetrators of domestic, family and sexual violence

Economic and workplace impacts of domestic and family violence

Domestic and family violence impacts on housing

Workforce and funding of domestic, family and sexual violence sector

Primary prevention

Education

Access to quality education and training is essential to enabling and inspiring lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training – to secure employment and improve their economic outcomes. Quality education is essential to children’s learning and wellbeing, resulting in positive outcomes throughout students’ lives.

Affordable, accessible and quality childcare is pivotal in removing barriers to women’s workforce participation.

General

Early childhood education and care (ECEC)

School

Vocational education and training

Gender segregated training and industries

Health and wellbeing

Gender shapes people’s experience of and access to health care. Health service design affects how easily individuals obtain information, support and treatment. Over 70 per cent of Australian women report gender bias when seeking health care, including for sexual and reproductive health. Recognising these differences is essential for creating inclusive, equitable health policies and services for all. 

General 

Gender bias in healthcare 

Reproductive and maternal health 

LGBTIQ+ health 

  • LGBTIQ+ Health Australia: A national health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on LGBTIQ+ health. 
  • ACON: Community organisation advocating for LGBTIQ+ health needs. 
Housing and homelessness

Australia’s growing population and lack of housing supply has contributed to a housing affordability crisis. Women have lower rates of home ownership in Australia compared to men and have equal to higher rates of renting. Women are also more likely to be the head of a sole parent family – over-representing their exposure to impacts from the current rental market challenges and housing insecurity compared to their male counterparts.  

The rising cost of real estate has a disproportionate impact on young women. CoreLogic (2024) found that a higher share of males aged 18 to 29 reported owning at least one dwelling (51.6%) compared to women in the same age group (27.3%). The rising cost of housing is particularly challenging for single women, single mothers, older women and people experiencing domestic and family violence. Higher rents and lack of affordable housing can lead to women becoming homeless. It can also be a barrier for domestic and family violence victim survivors leaving abusive partners.

For further information on the intersection of domestic and family violence and housing insecurity and homelessness, go to the data repository for domestic, family and sexual violence.

General housing data

Homelessness

Social housing and social housing design

Home ownership and first home buyers

First Nations housing

LGBTQIA+ housing

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) housing

Disability housing

Sports

Participation in sport has exponential health, psychological, economic and community benefits for all Australians. However, despite increasing interest in watching and playing women’s elite sports in Australia, there remain barriers for women and trans and gender-diverse people’s full and equal participation in sport.

General data

Strategies and plans

Women and girls in sport

LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport

Prevention of violence against women and girls and sport

Socioeconomic Inclusion

Sport Infrastructure

  • Level the Playing Field Program, NSW Government: Across NSW, the Level the Playing Field program has approved 26 capital grants for new and upgraded sports facilities, including amenities and lighting improvements. Applicants must provide an Equitable Access and Usage policy to ensure gender equity in access and usage of community sports infrastructure for women and girls.  
Transport

Transport is often seen as ‘gender neutral’, yet travel needs vary by gender. Women are more likely to trip chain—combining multiple stops like childcare and work—while men typically commute point-to-point. Men, especially younger motorcyclists, are over-represented in road fatalities. Safety concerns, including gender-based violence on public transport, limit mobility for women and gender-diverse individuals. 

General 

  • Great Places Toolkit, Transport for NSW: Tools and resources to assist those involved in planning, managing and delivering safe, vibrant and welcoming places for everyone, regardless of gender. 

Safety on public transport 

Workforce 

Walking, cycling and physical activity  

  

Other guidelines

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