The more money they have, the more power women have in making financial decisions at home.
According to a National Australia Bank report on financial decision-making at home, women generally are more influential than men when it comes to everyday financial budgeting and family expenses, even if they are not the primary breadwinner.
That includes buying a major item such as a washing machine or fridge, and areas affecting the family such as healthcare and education costs.
Men have a greater say on major investment decisions and the use of financial advice.
That includes buying shares and investment properties, and changing banks or gas and electricity suppliers.
But if women are the primary breadwinner, their degree of influence on household financial decisions becomes greater.
"Significantly, for women that earn more than men in a relationship, their level of influence is also much greater in areas typically more controlled by men: for example, in the use of financial experts and making financial investment decisions," the NAB report said.
Women who are the main breadwinners also perceive themselves as more influential in the areas typically dominated by women.
Nonetheless, even where a woman earns more than a man, women estimate that they still do about 67 per cent of the housework.
Younger women are more influential across most decision categories than older women.
Women aged over 65 have the least financial power when it comes to influencing household financial decisions.
For men, those over 65 and baby boomers have the greatest influence on financial investment decisions and using financial experts.
Women have a greater influence over their partner's discretionary spending in areas such as clothing, entertainment and personal care.
Men and women have a near equal voice on significant financial purchases such as buying a home.
The NAB report, part of a series on work and family dynamics in Australia, was based on the responses of more than 1,000 Australians.
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