ACT Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith pictured with WHM Chair Mirjana Wilson, WHM CEO Lauren Anthes, and Dr Merri Andrew

The Report on 2025 Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT was launched at an event on 9 September, which was attended by ACT Heakth Minister, Rachel Stphen-Smith and over 60 other guests from across numerous health and community organisations and government directorates.

The second Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT report highlights key health and wellbeing issues experienced by women in the ACT, identifying areas where service provision or policy could be changed to improve outcomes, as well as the social factors that impact women’s health and wellbeing. The survey was undertaken with dedicated funding from the Snow Foundation as well as ongoing support from ACT Government, with the aim of learning about the health needs and experiences of women and femme-identifying people in the ACT. 

“This survey is critical in uncovering the gaps in women’s health that are too often overlooked. By listening directly to women, it helps drive systemic change—building more responsive services, fairer policies, and healthier futures for our community. We are excited to continue supporting this important research,” Georgina Byron, CEO Snow Foundation said.  

As in 2023, the results show a positive assessment of the care received from GPs overall, with a slight improvement in the proportion of respondents who rated their access to GPs as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ compared with 2023. However, the survey found cost and appointment availability remained barriers to accessing medical care. Nearly a fifth of all respondents said they had gone without medical care or medication at some time during the last 12 months as a result of financial constraints.  

The survey findings also highlighted areas of dissatisfaction in relation to healthcare, with a significant proportion of people reporting they were not being taken seriously by doctors when they tried to address their health concerns. Almost 50% of respondents who had been treated for endometriosis were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their treatment, while more than 25% of women who sought information or support with menopause didn’t receive the information or care they needed. 

The report includes some positive findings, such as overall high satisfaction with access to GP appointments, how well GPs respect patients’ culture and identity, and how well GP explain issues and treatments. 

The findings overall are consistent with the results of the previous survey in 2023, indicating that women’s experiences of health and wellbeing in the ACT have most likely not changed significantly. The survey covers many aspects of women’s health and wellbeing, from mental health to reproductive surgeries and medical conditions, pregnancy and birth, experiences of discrimination, and domestic, sexual, and family violence.  

In providing data that is both broad and deep, the survey report is a valuable measure of women’s health and wellbeing in the ACT. We hope the repeated survey will form the basis for an evidence base that will grow over time, helping to shape and inform policies and services that can better support women’s health and wellbeing.