Office of the Status of Women
OSW
March 1983 – October 2004
Previously Office of Women's Affairs (1977–1983). Renamed Office for Women in 2004.
Women's policy office in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that advised the Prime Minister and the minister assisting on the status of women, coordinated the annual Women's Budget Statement and led national programs against domestic violence.
Names over time
- Office of Women's Affairs1977–1983
- Office of the Status of Women1983–2004
- Office for Women2004–present
How it came into existence
Renamed from the Office of Women's Affairs in March 1983 after the election of the Hawke government, which moved it back from the Department of Home Affairs and Environment to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Anne Summers became its head.
Changes during its life
- Affirmative action pilot program and advice to employers
How it ended
After the October 2004 election it moved to the Department of Family and Community Services and was renamed the Office for Women.
Main functions
- Policy advice on women's issues across government
- Women's Budget Statement
- National domestic and family violence initiatives
- Gender analysis of Cabinet submissions
- International reporting on women's rights
- Grants to women's organisations
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.