A local, national and global network

YWCA Australia is a women's not for profit community-based organisation.

YWCA Australia is the national association for YWCAs in Australia.

YWCAs work hard to improve the lives of women and girls, their families and communities and to promote gender equality.

In Australia, YWCAs do this by developing women's leadership, providing on-the-ground programs and services in local Australian communities, and by speaking out about the issues that affect women and girls in Australia and internationally.

A global network

YWCA Australia is part of the World YWCA, a global network of women advancing peace, justice and human rights in more than 120 countries and reaching 25 million people worldwide.

A community services provider

In Australia the YWCA delivers a diverse range of vital community programs and services to more than a quarter of a million people each year in over 270 sites in rural, regional and urban Australia.

Our programs and services include advocacy, children’s services, family services, mentoring services, health and wellbeing services, youth services and programs for young women, employment and training services and social enterprises.

An advocate

We ensure that that issues affecting the lives of Australian women and girls are brought to the attention of decision makers, like the Australian Government and state and territory governments. 

We do this by campaigning nationally about key issues like paid parental leave, violence against women and homelessness.

We also give policy advice to governments and support projects that take the issues of women in Australia to the United Nations.

Our members

Our members are Australian state and local YWCA associations and groups, and individual life members.

Where are we?

YWCA Australia is based in Canberra, Australia.

YWCA Australia proudly recognises the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the right to own and control their cultures, and pays respect around these rights. YWCA Australia commits to respecting and actively supporting the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and worldviews.