The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has launched its first survey examining problems faced by women in the industry.

Topics include whether women have to work harder than men to prove themselves, earn less than male colleagues in the same job or are expected to take minutes because of their gender.

ANZIIF Women’s Council Deputy Chairman Kerrie Challenor says such insurance-focused research has never been carried out.

“Our members told us the industry needs to understand their issues in more depth,” she said.

However, award-winning broker Belinda Scott does not believe such problems exist.

“I have never found that my opinion didn’t matter,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “I believe the industry respects women and doesn’t tend to care what gender you are.

“There are opportunities for women and if they want them they should grab them, but a lot of very qualified women don’t want these roles. I don’t like to be associated with this push for women. Nobody wants to be the token woman to fit a quota.”

Ms Scott, director of Melbourne-based BJS Insurance Brokers, says the industry’s ageing workforce is a bigger issue.

Female ANZIIF members who have not received the survey can call 03 9613 7280 to request a copy.