She Means Initiative Received Government Funding Boost

The national programme has secured $4 million to support female business leaders across the country.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Women’s Issues

She Means Initiative Received Government Funding Boost

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The Australian Government has pledged $4 million to expand the She Means initiative, a programme designed to bolster female leadership and workplace inclusion. Five female mortgage brokers recently joined the latest phase of the project.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to transition ongoing conversations regarding gender diversity into practical, measurable outcomes for small business owners. Participants gain access to essential mentoring and business development resources.

The expanded initiative aims to provide support to 120 small businesses over the next two years. This follows an initial $2 million funding phase announced in May 2025.

The players

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia

This is the peak body representing small businesses in the national policy debate.

Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia

This organisation serves as the professional body for the mortgage and finance broking industry.

The details

Delivered by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia, the programme provides tailored business development support. The five selected mortgage brokers operate across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.

The pilot programme was announced in May 2025.
Five brokers joined the next programme phase in October 2026.
The initiative is scheduled to reach 120 small businesses over the next two years.

Culture Shift

The commitment reflects a broader societal move to formalise support structures for women in business, mirroring the intent behind the Australian Government workplace gender equality initiatives. This funding represents a transition toward institutionalising mentorship as a standard practice for small enterprise growth.

Small business owners may now access mentoring and development resources through the expanded programme. Eligible participants should monitor updates from the delivering organisations to determine when enrollment for the next cohort begins.

The takeaway

The She Means initiative demonstrates how targeted financial support can help bridge the resource gap for female entrepreneurs. Business owners should proactively seek out such government-backed programmes to secure professional mentorship and networking opportunities.