More Australians will be able to access paid parental leave under a swag of changes aimed at improving women's financial security.
Some people who have faced domestic violence will also be able to dip into their superannuation early under the federal government measures, worth $109 million over the next four years.
Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer detailed the initiatives while delivering Australia's first women's economic security statement at the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday.
She said Australia has taken great strides in improving women's economic independence and security in the past few decades, with more women in work than ever before and the gender pay gap moving in the right direction.
But the minister said problems remain, including women earning less than men, retiring with 42 per cent less in their superannuation and being twice as likely to work part-time.
"Even though we have come a long way, we still want Australian women to be able to do even better," Ms O'Dwyer said.
"We want to ensure that women can build their financial security to help them choose their own path so they and their families can live their best lives.
"These new measures will help just give women and their families' greater choice, and will also help grow the Australian economy."
Labor said the initiatives are a "grab bag of measures" that don't go far enough, and have urged the coalition to back its own policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap and superannuation gap.
"After five years of Liberal governments, Kelly O'Dwyer's announcements today are too little, too late," Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek said.
The coalition's plan is focused on increasing the workforce participation of women, supporting their economic independence and improving their earning potential.
Changing the work test for the federal government's paid parental leave scheme is part of the workforce participation measures, so more women can access it.
Extra flexibility will also be added to the scheme, with families able to split their parental leave period into blocks.
The coalition is also ramping up support for those who have experienced domestic violence, including extending the early release of superannuation for them.
Programs aimed at encouraging women's entrepreneurship will also be made available.
Australian Associated Press
