Women's health has historically been under-researched and under-funded — with health systems often designed around male-typical presentations and research conducted primarily on male subjects. Despite some improvements, significant gaps remain: endometriosis takes an average 6-8 years to diagnose, menopause is poorly managed in primary care, and Indigenous women face the most extreme health disparities. Grant funding supports research, services, advocacy, and prevention activities that improve health outcomes for Australian women.
Key conditions and gaps
Health system gaps for women
National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
NBCF is Australia's leading breast cancer research funder — raising over $30 million annually:
- Competitive research grants
- Early career researcher grants
- Metastatic breast cancer research
- Clinical trials
Cancer Australia
Government cancer research funder — includes breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health
Jean Hailes is a national not-for-profit focused on women's health — particularly:
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- Menopause
- Pelvic floor health
- Research and consumer resources
NHMRC
NHMRC funds women's health across conditions — competitive grants open to women's health researchers.
Cancer Council Australia and state Councils
Cancer Councils fund women's cancer research and patient support — particularly breast, cervical, and gynaecological cancers.
Ovarian Cancer Australia
Ovarian cancer-specific research and support — Australia's lowest survival rate of female cancers.
Cancer research and support
Endometriosis
Reproductive health
Maternal and perinatal health
Women's mental health
Indigenous women's health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face the most severe health disparities:
- Cancer mortality: Indigenous women have much higher cancer death rates
- Maternal health: higher rates of maternal and infant mortality
- Chronic disease: diabetes, cardiovascular disease at higher rates
- Sexual and reproductive health: STI rates significantly elevated
- Rheumatic heart disease in young women
Indigenous women's health requires:
- Community-controlled health services
- Culturally safe practice
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women leading programmes
Rural women's health
Rural women face access barriers:
- Fewer breast and cervical cancer screening services
- Less access to obstetric care (birthing in regional hospitals)
- Mental health in rural contexts
- Telehealth access for women's health consultations
Sex and gender as variables
Strong women's health applications name sex and gender as variables — showing understanding of how health differs between sexes, and how gender identity intersects with health experience.
Intersectionality
Women's health experience differs dramatically by race, class, disability, location, and sexual orientation. Applications targeting specific intersections (Indigenous women, rural women, low-income women) are typically more compelling than generic women's health.
Research to practice gap
Many women's health conditions (endometriosis, PCOS) have significant research-to-practice gaps — evidence exists but isn't implemented in clinical settings. Applications closing this gap (clinical translation, GP education) are valuable.
Patient voice
Women's health advocacy has been driven by patient communities — particularly for endometriosis and menopause. Show genuine patient and community voice in programme design.
Prevention and early detection
Many women's health conditions are preventable or highly treatable when detected early (cervical cancer, breast cancer). Applications improving screening access and early detection rates are compelling to health funders.
Tahua's grants management platform supports women's health funders and organisations — with research grant management, programme participant tracking, health outcome measurement, and the reporting tools that help women's health funders demonstrate their investment in closing the persistent gaps in health outcomes for Australian women.