The target for female representation across all Australian government boards will be increased to 50 per cent.
The gender diversity target at the moment is 40 per cent.
"We need to lead by example in order to drive change in corporate Australia," Minister for Women Michaelia Cash told the National Press Club on Tuesday.
Each board will aim for a minimum 40 per cent female representation, with a 50 per cent target across all boards.
"I am very confident that with pro-active efforts by all ministers, we can achieve this target," Senator Cash said.
In a speech to mark International Women's Day, the minister spoke of the "synergies" between her two portfolios - employment and responsibility for women.
The government's duty was to remove barriers so women and men could make the choices they want, rather than take the options they are forced to take.
Research showed Australian men wanted to work flexibly, but were twice as likely as women to have their request for flexible work declined.
"Working full time and being the primary breadwinner is too often seen as a choice that men make in the same way that working part time is seen as a choice for women," Senator Cash said.
"But neither is a genuine choice."
Both men and women are "funnelled" into these choices by societal and workplace expectations of women as the "ideal carer" and men as the "ideal worker".
"It is only when we notice these 'norms' - which we are now doing - we can challenge them and replace them with something better."
On workplace participation, Senator Cash cited as an example the UnitingCare Australia program, which she launches in Perth on Friday, that will provide training to women who have been out of the workforce for several years.
It will help them re-enter jobs in caring professions such as aged care.
Senator Cash, one of six women in cabinet, said Australia's biggest champion of change for women is Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Domestic violence - "Australia's dirty little secret" - was now well and truly in the spotlight.
"A massive shift in relation to violence against women has occurred in Australia," she said.
"However, for all the good work that has been done ... it's still clear that we need to do more to address this problem at its root cause - disrespect."
The target will change on July 1, she later confirmed.
Senator Cash said unions and employer groups provided her with nominations for boards in the employment portfolio.
"I am now actively sending back nominations of men," she said.
It doesn't mean she won't support them but she wants an explanation as to how many women were considered.
