For the first time the federal government has published the gender pay gaps for nearly 5,000 Australian private sector employers.
The findings show that across all employers, 50 per cent have a gender pay gap of over 9.1 per cent and 62 per cent of median employer gender pay gaps are over five per cent and in favour of men.
Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher, said the publication of employer gender pay gaps is a pivotal moment for gender equality in Australia.
"The release of employer gender pay gaps marks a historic step towards transparency and accountability in addressing gender inequality,” Gallagher said.
“The gender pay gap is a persistent and complex problem that costs the Australian economy $51.8 billion every year.
“Transparency and accountability are critical for driving change. By shining a light on gender pay gaps at an employer level, we are arming individuals and organisations with the evidence they need to take meaningful action to accelerate closing the gender pay gap in Australian workplaces.”
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has published base salary and total remuneration median gender pay gaps for private sector employers in Australia with 100 or more employees.
For all employers, the publication of their gender pay gaps and workforce composition is an opportunity to assess their performance on gender equality and take action to improve it.
WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge said it is encouraging to see that gender pay gaps for almost one-third of employers are close to gender parity within their workforce.
“All employers should be aiming for a gender pay gap within +/-5%. This range allows for normal business fluctuations and employee movements, while signifying that an employer has a focus on identifying and addressing inequalities and is taking action to ensure there is gender equality throughout an organisation," she said.
There is significant variation in the gender pay gap across different industries, ranging from the construction industry where the mid-point employer gender pay gap is 31.8 per cent to the accommodation and food services industry with a mid-point employer gender pay gap of 1.9 per cent.
“The gender pay gap is a widely used, internationally recognised measure for gender equality. Publishing employer’s gender pay gaps brings transparency to those employers who have low median gender pays gaps and those that don’t,” Wooldridge said.
“The time for talk and excuses is over. Change takes action and employers need to double down on ensuring all employees are fairly represented and equally valued and rewarded in their workplace.”
Australian Constructors Association (ACA) president, Annabel Crookes said gender diversity is still a challenge for the construction sector.
“The gender imbalance is one of the toughest problems we have to solve, because it gives rise to so many other cultural issues which are blockers for improving diversity for all,” she said.
Last year all ACA members pledged to transform the culture of the industry within the next five years.
“As part of the pledge, at least 75 per cent of ACA members will attain the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice citation by 2028,” Crookes said.
“The WGEA citation will help the industry close gender pay gaps faster and shift the industry to one that provides opportunities for all regardless of their gender.”
