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Lack of reproductive leave costing Australia billions
According to an interim report from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre , Australia ’ s lack of reproductive health leave costs the economy $ 26.6 billion annually .
The report , released in January 2025 , underscored the impacted economy through lost productivity from days not working , working through pain and sickness , and retiring early due to reproductive conditions .
This leave entitlement would give employees access to paid time off to address reproductive health conditions , such as menstruation , menopause , IVF treatments and vasectomy , among others .
Annually , women with severe menstrual pain lose nearly nine working days , while those experiencing menopause with severe symptoms may experience a 25 % productivity drop .
Saving using reproductive leave The report found that a 12-day reproductive leave will cost employers $ 920 million annually , 30 times less than the productivity cost without it .
“ This would be a game-changer for women dealing with painful periods , menopause and other reproductive health conditions ,” said Kate Marshall , National Senior Assistant Secretary for the Health Services Union ( HSU ), in a statement .
The HSU said last year that introducing the benefit would mean women could stay in the workforce longer , build superannuation , and close the gender gap . S
“ This would be a game-changer for women dealing with painful periods , menopause and other reproductive health conditions .”
Kate Marshall , Health Services Union
14 Executive PA | Autumn Issue 2025