Office for Women 

The Australian Government Office for Women (OfW) is part of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

The Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP has called on men and women to start a new conversation about equality and identified three priority areas to support this vision:

• reducing violence against women and their children
• improving women’s economic independence and financial security
• promoting women’s equality and leadership in all aspects of society

OfW and the Minister for the Status of Women consult with women from a wide range of non-Government organisations to address these priorities and deliver better outcomes for women.

The role of the OfW is to:

• influence policy, Cabinet and Budget decision-making to ensure women's interests are considered
• provide high level advice to the Minister for the Status of Women
• administer programs, including most significantly programs to combat domestic violence and sexual assault
• advise on legislative issues relating to women
• provide the principal focus on consultation between the women’s sector and Government and
• represent Government at national and international forums on women’s issues, such as the United Nations.