Australian Report Finds Widespread Discrimination Against Pregnant Women and New Mothers

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released its "Balancing Act" report on October 19, 2026, which details widespread workplace hostility and "sham redundancies" forcing pregnant women and new mothers out of employment across Australia[1][2]. The report confirms long-standing issues, echoing findings from previous reviews over the past decade[2][3][4][5].

This ongoing discrimination creates significant barriers to gender equality and forces women to choose between their careers and family responsibilities, affecting their economic security and overall well-being. The report identifies systemic issues that undermine legal protections intended to support working parents[1][2].

What the records show

The AHRC's "Balancing Act" report, published on October 19, 2026, confirms that women are pushed out of employment through various discriminatory practices[1][2]. These include "sham redundancies," the loss of shifts and opportunities, hostile work environments, and the refusal of requests for flexible work arrangements after they have a baby[1][2]. The report notes that these forms of discrimination disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including immigrant women, First Nations women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals[1].

The timeline

The "Balancing Act" report follows a series of previous studies that have documented similar issues[2]. In 2014, an AHRC national review titled "Supporting Working Parents: Pregnancy and Return to Work National Review" found that 49% of mothers reported experiencing discrimination during pregnancy, parental leave, or upon returning to work[3]. A 2022 study, "Understanding Pregnancy Discrimination: A pilot study of Victorian women's experiences at work," using JobWatch data, indicated that 50% of pregnant women surveyed faced dismissal or redundancy after announcing their pregnancy[4]. Another national review in 2023 reported high prevalence rates, with 89.0% of respondents experiencing work-related discrimination during pregnancy, 84.7% during parental leave, and 92.8% during their return to work[5]. More recently, an ABC Four Corners investigation, reported on October 17-18, 2026, gathered stories from over 100 women who lost jobs due to pregnancy or childbirth, with 21 of them citing "sham restructurings"[6]. Nearly one-third of 104 women who shared their stories with the program reported their requests for flexible working arrangements were refused[6].

What changed and for whom

Despite legal protections implemented over the last ten years, the 2026 AHRC report highlights a persistent gap between workers' entitlements and their actual experiences in the workplace[2]. The discrimination impacts women by forcing them out of jobs or into less favorable conditions, which can lead to financial hardship and professional setbacks[1][2]. The report proposes 18 areas for reform, emphasizing the need for stronger legal protections and the creation of more flexible workplaces to address these systemic issues[2].

What the subject has said publicly

Dr. Anna Cody, who became Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner in August/September 2023, spoke on the findings, stating that "everyone has the right to be supported at work as they care for their family, and no one should be forced to choose between earning a living and caring for children and family members who need them"[2].

What we could not confirm

While the "Balancing Act" report identifies 18 areas for reform, the specific actions the Australian government or employers plan to take in response to these recommendations were not detailed in the provided evidence. The evidence does not specify the number of women currently affected by this discrimination across Australia annually.