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Australia’s gender pay gap narrows but persists

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  • Australia’s national gender pay gap has decreased to a historic low of 11.5%, largely due to gains in female-dominated sectors.
  • New legislation will compel large employers to set measurable targets for achieving gender equality in the workplace.
  • Over 70% of employers still report pay gaps favoring men, with finance and construction industries showing the largest disparities.

[WORLD] Australia has seen a slight narrowing of its gender pay gap, with recent reports indicating that women now earn approximately 18.6% less than their male counterparts. Despite this modest progress, significant disparities persist across various industries, underscoring the need for continued efforts toward pay equity.​

Key Findings from Recent Reports

Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Report: Data from the year ending March 2024 reveals that 72.2% of employers have a gender pay gap favoring men. Notably, industries such as finance, mining, and construction exhibit some of the most pronounced gaps. For instance, Macquarie Group, a leading investment bank, reported a gap of 41.8%, while gas producer Woodside's gap stood at 25.6%. ​

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Data: In May 2024, the ABS recorded the national gender pay gap at a historic low of 11.5%, down from 12% in November 2023 and 14.1% in May 2022. This decline is largely attributed to pay increases in female-dominated sectors like education and training. ​

Government Initiatives and Employer Actions

The Australian government has introduced several measures aimed at reducing the gender pay gap:​

Legislative Measures: Proposed legislation requires firms with 500 or more employees to set measurable targets for gender equality, focusing on workforce composition, pay equity, flexible work arrangements, and sexual harassment prevention. ​

Employer Engagement: The WGEA's report indicates that 56% of employers have made efforts to reduce their gender pay gaps over the past year. However, only 21% of businesses have achieved a gap within the target range of +/-5%, highlighting the need for ongoing commitment.

Industry-Specific Disparities

Certain sectors continue to exhibit substantial gender pay gaps:

Construction: Despite a reduction of 6.5% from the previous year, the construction industry still maintains a pay gap of 25.3%.​

Financial and Insurance Services: This sector has seen a 3.9% decrease, with the current gap at 22.2%.​

These figures suggest that while progress is being made, industries with traditionally male-dominated roles continue to face significant challenges in achieving pay equity.​

Calls for Continued Action

Advocates emphasize that closing the gender pay gap requires sustained efforts, including:​

Policy Implementation: Employers are encouraged to conduct regular pay audits, establish transparent salary bands, and implement mentorship programs to support women's career advancement.​

Cultural Change: Promoting a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion is crucial. This includes addressing unconscious biases and ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.​

Government Support: Continued legislative and policy initiatives are vital to enforce accountability and drive systemic change across all sectors.​

While Australia has made incremental progress in narrowing the gender pay gap, substantial work remains to achieve full pay equity. A collaborative approach involving government action, employer commitment, and cultural transformation is essential to address the enduring disparities and ensure equal pay for equal work.


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