How to Ask for More—Salary, Super, and Self-Worth

⚠️ Any advice provided through our communications and platforms is general financial advice only and has not considered your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consequently, before you decide to act on any of the information provided, it’s important for you to evaluate its appropriateness for your personal circumstances. 

For many women, asking for more — whether it’s a pay rise, better superannuation contributions, or simply recognition — feels like walking a tightrope. We worry about being perceived as pushy, ungrateful, or unrealistic. But here’s the truth: asking for more isn’t about ego. It’s about equity, agency, and self-worth.

This blog is your guide to making the ask — with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

Why Asking Matters

Women in Australia still face a persistent gender pay gap. According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), the average total remuneration gap sits at 21.7% as of 2025. That gap doesn’t just affect your current income — it compounds over time, especially in superannuation. By retirement, women typically have 25–35% less super than men.

When we don’t ask, we don’t just miss out on money. We miss out on momentum. On opportunity. On the chance to shape our financial future.

Step 1: Know Your Worth — And Own It

Before you ask, you need to believe. That starts with understanding your market value. Use tools like:

• Glassdoor, Seek, and Payscale to benchmark salaries in your industry and role

• WGEA’s pay gap data to understand systemic trends

• Professional networks to gather real-world insights

But don’t stop at numbers. Reflect on your unique value — your experience, emotional intelligence, leadership, and impact. These aren’t always captured in KPIs, but they’re deeply valuable. Write them down. Say them out loud. Own them.

Step 2: Prepare the Ask Strategically

Whether you’re negotiating salary, super contributions, or flexible arrangements, preparation is key. Frame your request around:

• Value, not need: “Here’s the impact I’ve made” is stronger than “I need more to survive.”

• Evidence, not emotion: Bring data, achievements, and benchmarks.

• Timing, not tension: Choose a moment when your contributions are visible — after a successful project, performance review, or business win.

And rehearse. Practice with a mentor, coach, or trusted friend. The more you say the words, the more natural they’ll feel.

Step 3: Don’t Forget Super

Superannuation is often left out of salary negotiations — but it shouldn’t be. You can ask for:

• Higher employer contributions above the mandated 11% (especially if you’re not receiving bonuses or equity)

• Salary packaging strategies that boost your super while reducing tax

• Catch-up contributions if you’ve had career breaks

If your employer values retention and wellbeing, they’ll understand that super is part of the long game — not just a retirement issue.

Step 4: Anchor It in Self-Worth

This is the heart of it. Asking for more isn’t just about money — it’s about how you see yourself. It’s about challenging the internalised belief that you should “just be grateful” or “wait your turn.”

Self-worth means recognising that your time, energy, and expertise are valuable. It means setting boundaries, speaking up, and refusing to shrink. It means knowing that you are not an expense — you are an asset.

What If They Say No?

Rejection doesn’t mean you were wrong to ask. It means the conversation has started. You can:

• Ask for feedback and revisit the conversation in 3–6 months

• Negotiate other benefits — training, flexibility, mentoring, or wellbeing support

• Reassess whether the organisation aligns with your values

Sometimes, asking for more reveals that you deserve better — and that’s powerful too.

How Prosper Financial Planning Supports You

We believe financial empowerment starts with voice. When you ask for more, you’re not just changing your payslip — you’re changing the culture. You’re modelling confidence for your colleagues, your children, and your future self.

So go ahead. Ask. Advocate. Ascend.

Prosper Financial Planning believes every woman deserves to feel confident, capable, and in control of her financial future. Your voice matters. Your choices matter. And your financial story is still being written — by you

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Let’s talk about your situation, your goals, and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s a conversation, a consultation, or a coffee—we’re here for you.

References:

• Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), “Gender Pay Gap Statistics,” August 2025.

• ASFA, “Superannuation Account Balances by Age and Gender,” March 2025.

• Women’s Economic Security Statement, Australian Government, 2024.