The Abbott government ministry is one of the worst in the developed world for gender balance.

A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development says the gap between women and men in ministerial positions in Australia has actually worsened since 2012, despite the government's reshuffle in December.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is one of just two female members of the Abbott government cabinet. Credit:Andrew Meares

It says Australia now has fewer women in its highest ranks of government than every OECD country except for Greece, Korea, Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia.

Two countries the OECD is considering accepting into its fold - Latvia and Colombia - have far higher female representation in ministerial positions than Australia.