Women’s Health Matters has released a comprehensive report on our second Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT. The 2025 report highlights key health and wellbeing issues experienced by women in the ACT, areas where service provision or policy could be changed to improve outcomes, and the social factors that impact women’s health and wellbeing. 

Over 1300 people completed the online survey, providing information about their experiences of general health and mental health, health information and health services, sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy and parenting, discrimination, and safety and violence.    

The survey was open to women, femme-identifying people and people who align themselves with those groups, who were aged 18 years or over and living in the ACT and region. In 2025, the sample of participants is more representative of the population than the first survey in 2023. The high-quality local data collected will improve our understandings of the health and wellbeing experiences of women in the ACT, including the specific challenges faced by marginalised groups.   

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 because of not having enough money. As in 2023, a significant proportion of people reported not being taken seriously by doctors when they tried to address their health concerns.  

Lauren Anthes, CEO of Women’s Health Matters, says the survey is an important and unique tool for identifying the needs of ACT women.   

“Datasets on women’s health in the ACT have previously been quite small, so we are pleased to gain such a comprehensive insight into the community’s experiences,” said Ms Anthes.   

ACT Minister for Health and Mental Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said that the survey provides value to Government through its uniquely local lens and focus on women’s experiences both of healthcare services and their own health and wellbeing. 

“We know some women face additional barriers to care and are at higher risk for certain health issues. The ACT Government is focused on breaking down those barriers and ensuring all women have access to quality, affordable health care.” 

On Tuesday, 9 September, Women’s Health Matters hosted a launch event for the survey, which was attended by over 60 stakeholders, including ACT Government representatives,  community and advocacy organisations, researchers, health services, and policy makers. The event highlighted the value of the survey data for the broader ACT community and the need to recognise the unique, gendered policy and service needs of women in these areas. 

The survey data will inform Women’s Health Matters’ work and identify key priorities for advocacy and policy development in the ACT.  

The survey was made possible with specific funding from Snow Foundation and supported through the ongoing funding that Women’s Health Matters receives through the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate.  

“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. 

Women’s Health Matters thanks Snow Foundation for investing in women’s health research and advocacy, and for enabling us to do this important work in a rigorous and effective way.  

Women’s Health Matters also thanks the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate for its continued support and funding.  

The survey report can be found here.

For media inquiries please contact media@womenshealthmatters.org.au