Peri-to Post Menopause & Work – Did you know?

As our industry continues to focus on building inclusive, high-performing workplaces, there is growing recognition of the life stages that shape workforce participation, leadership progression and wellbeing.

One such stage, often underrepresented in workplace conversations – is the menopause transition. For many women, this period coincides with peak career experience, leadership capability, and earning potential, while also intersecting with increasing professional and personal responsibilities. In a sector where women make up more than half of the workforce and contribute significantly to organisational and economic outcomes, understanding this transition is not just a wellbeing consideration, it’s a workforce, leadership, and performance priority.

The following insights highlight why this matters, both for individuals and for organisations committed to retaining talent, supporting progression, and fostering environments where all employees can thrive.

Did you know?

• There are more women in the Australian workforce, including between the ages of 45-55, than at any other time in our history
• That the Banking & Finance sector employs around 4% of Australian workers, of which just over half are women
• That our sector is responsible for around 7.5% of national economic output

And did you also know…

• The term menopause is sometimes used for what is a natural transition that takes place in stages – perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause and most often over a period of 5-10 years
• Menopause refers to the point in time when you have your last period. In Australia, this generally happens between the ages of 45-55, average being 51
• Perimenopause is the time leading up to and around menopause
• Post-menopause refers the remainder of your life, after menopause
• Everyone has a different experience – one in four women will not experience any noticeable symptoms of their menopause transition
• Half of Australian women will experience symptoms during this transition that range from having a slight to a very noticeable impact on them
• One in four women will experience very significant symptoms that impact their daily life and functioning

For many women, the menopause transition is happening against a background of career opportunities and demands, combined with various caring, relationship and household responsibilities, managing their own health and the need to build a secure financial future.

Most often, this transition may also be happening when women have accumulated significant professional capabilities and experience, have substantial contributions to make to organisations and our sector, and may be in a stronger earning position that at any earlier point in their lives.

Historically, there’s been limited research on what would truly make a difference in supporting the career pathways, leadership progression and wellbeing of working women at this stage in life, and very little applying to Banking and Finance. Of course, there are many actions we can take individually to care for our own health and wellbeing during this transition.

There are also actions organisations can take to support women during this phase of life – and we need more information about what would drive meaningful change for women and organisations in our sector. If you’d like to be part of a research study aimed at deepening the understanding of what can support, or be a barrier to women thriving at work during the menopause transition, you are invited to take part in anonymous, confidential, and entirely optional online survey here by Friday 3 April

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics (September 2025); Australasian Menopause Society; Jean Hailes