OVERVIEW
Full name of organisation	Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women
Short description	Originally formed as an umbrella organization uniting six existing Business and Professional Women’s clubs across Australia, the Federation’s roots date back to Melbourne’s inaugural club in 1925. Initially, membership was limited to women in professional, business, industrial, or educational roles, later expanding to include women across various workforce sectors. Advocacy for equal pay and employment opportunities for women was a primary focus. The Federation has maintained its affiliation with BPW International since inception. Its ongoing mission centers on improving women’s status, eliminating discrimination, and voicing concerns to the government. Additionally, it offers a networking platform for women. Throughout its history, the Federation actively engaged in significant causes. Initiatives include equal pay legal battles in the 1950s-60s, a groundbreaking unpaid maternity leave case in 1978, and advocacy on issues like women’s jury service, uniform divorce laws, marriage bar removal, childcare support, sole parent benefits, the National Women’s Advisory Council, and women’s political participation encouragement.
Start date	1925
Organisation type	Community Group
URLs	https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE1017b.htm
	https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110954351?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22
	https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116406187?searchTerm=%22Australian%20Federation%20of%20Business%20and%20Professional%20Women%22
Group Affiliation(s)	Gender / Sexuality
Member	Watson, Jean
Presided	Prentice, Una Gailey
President	Battye, Margaret
Linked from	The Connell Report 1978 (TAS: School Education)