How to use this guide
The APS Guide to Gender Analysis and Gender Impact Assessment (the Guide) provides information to assist Australian Public Service (APS) policy makers developing a Cabinet Submission or New Policy Proposal in fulfilling gender analysis requirements set by Government.
This Guide is divided into four parts to assist policy makers to better understand what gender analysis and Gender Impact Assessment entails, and to align policy development with the Government’s priority of advancing gender equality.
- Part 1 explains the importance of gender analysis.
- Part 2 explains what gender analysis is, as well as when and how it is conducted.
- Part 3 provides instructions for completing a Gender Analysis Summary.
- Part 4 provides instructions for completing a Gender Impact Assessment.
- Template required for a Gender Impact Assessment.
A Quick Reference Guide to gender analysis follows this section.
For any questions about the use of this guide and its contents please contact the Office for Women (OFW) at GIA@pmc.gov.au.
Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) at a glance
GRB is a core government commitment to drive gender equality and give decision makers information about the gendered impacts of Budget proposals.
Gender responsive budgeting weaves consideration of gender impact through the Budget process and is a key way governments can identify and fund measures that close gender gaps and avoid measures that inadvertently exacerbate gender inequality.
It applies across the Budget process and is the responsibility of all departments as set out in the Cabinet Handbook and Budget Process Operational Rules. GRB requires all proposals to undertake gender analysis and provide a Gender Analysis Summary in the Cabinet Submission or New Policy Proposal.
Proposals that meet key criteria are also required to include a Gender Impact Assessment.
Gender analysis should be targeted and proportional to the impact and scale of investment.
A quick guide to gender analysis follows this section.
Quick guide to terminology
Gender analysis is critical to the policy development process, and includes conducting research, interrogating data and considering the different ways a policy may impact people based on gender. A gender analysis should be targeted and proportional, ensuring that the effort in conducting an analysis is proportional to the potential impact, value and scope of the policy. In practice, this requires initial gender analysis to surface gendered impacts of a proposal, to be summarised in the Gender Analysis Summary, and – where it meets the criteria – a Gender Impact Assessment which more comprehensively identifies policy responses and actions to address any impact identified.
Gender Analysis Summary is a requirement for all Cabinet Submissions and New Policy Proposals (NPPs). A Gender Analysis Summary gives an overview of the gender analysis. It aims to inform decision makers whether a proposal will have a gendered impact and what this might be. The Gender Analysis Summary must be included in the relevant section in the Impacts Table
Gender Impact Assessment must be attached to the associated Cabinet Submission for each proposal that meets the criteria. A Gender Impact Assessment will usually require a more detailed analysis. It aims to inform decision makers of the gendered impact a policy is expected to have and where a significant gender impact is identified, includes concrete actions to improve the impact on gender equality.