Aged Care Wage Increases Help Narrow Gender Pay Gap

A new scorecard released today by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows the gender pay gap has dropped from 21.7% to 21.1% - with women earning 79 cents for every $1 men earn.

This is the lowest WGEA gender pay gap since reporting started in 2014.

The Albanese Government is improving gender equality in Australian workplaces and taking action to narrow the gender pay gap.

The main driver of the decrease in the gender pay gap is a lift in wages for lower paid workers, especially in highly feminised sectors - like aged care.

The scorecard from WGEA is based on an annual census of private sector employers with 100 or more employees.

When CEO salaries are included, the total remuneration gender pay gap is 21.8%.

The scorecard also shows promising progress with more employers taking action to narrow their gender pay gap and improve gender equality in their workplace.

But there is more work to do.

The Albanese Government is committed to accelerating progress to close the gender pay gap. Building on our 2023 reforms to publish employer gender pay gaps, the Government will introduce new legislation to the Parliament this week to help drive further improvements. This world leading reform will require organisations with 500 or more employees to commit to genuine and measurable targets to progress gender equality in their workplaces.

Employers will select targets that focus on the gender makeup of boards and the workforce; gender pay gap; flexible working arrangements; workplace consultation on gender equality; and efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment.

This reform also builds on the action the Albanese Government has already taken to improve women's economic equality, including banning pay secrecy clauses, modernising the bargaining system, and delivering pay rises for thousands of women on award wages.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher

"The Albanese Government has been working every day since we came to office to drive progress on gender equality.

"Our efforts to lift wages, especially in feminised industries, are having a real impact on closing the gender pay gap.

"To further accelerate the pace of change businesses will soon have to set targets for gender equality - this not only offers benefits for employees, but also employers, with improved retention, productivity, safety, and enhanced reputation.

"The Government wants to work with all employers to close the gender pay gap and make sure that Australian workplaces are fair, respectful, flexible and safe."

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Women, Kate Thwaites

"Our Government's work to advance gender equality is making a real difference to the lives of Australian women.

"Our reforms to Paid Parental Leave, our work to make child care cheaper, and to drive wage increases in low paid, feminised workforces, are all helping women to be more financially secure."We know there's more work to do, and our Government is determined to keep this momentum going."

Chart extracted from page 16 of Australia's Gender Equality Scorecard - 2024.