Crunch the numbers

1 After a career break, women work an average of 24.2 hours a week. This compares to 29 hours before going on leave.

2 On average, it takes 9.9 months to build up to the same number of hours worked before the break.

3 The average age for a woman to have a career break is 34, when women’s average earnings are $51,646.

4 Considering an education career break? The studies cost, on average, $15,061.

5 The average age for a woman to take an education career break is 28 and the break lasts 15 months, but she will likely end up with an 18 per cent salary rise.

6 Women still earn 17 per cent less than their male counterparts, according to rubyconnection.com.au.

SOURCE: Westpac International Women’s Day Report, 2016.