Female aged care workers still earn less than men

Working women in Australia are still earning hundreds of dollars less per week than men.

On average, women earn $252.30 less per week than their male colleagues, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This adds up to $13,120 less each year.

New ABS figures, released on Thursday, show that the national gender pay gap has decreased by 0.3 per cent since February.

This has brought the national gender pay gap to the lowest level on record.

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher, who is also the finance minister, said despite the rise, “there is still plenty of work to do”.

“I am pleased to be part of a government that is driving action to close the gender pay gap by increasing the minimum wage for aged-care workers, banning pay secrecy clauses and passing our Closing the Gender Pay Gap legislation,” she said.

Currently, Western Australia has the widest gender pay gap at 21.4 per cent.

This is followed by the Northern Territory at 15.6 per cent, Queensland at 13.4 per cent and Victoria at 12.9 per cent.

Those employed in professional, scientific and technical services such as lawyers, accountants and scientists, face the highest pay gap at $498.20 per week.

Women working in healthcare services receive on average $437.80 less each week, despite making up 75 per cent of the workforce.

Workers in accommodation and food services and public administration have the smallest pay gap, at 6.0 per cent and 3.7 per cent.

Studies have shown that the gender gap increases as Aussie women get older, with the mean gender pay gap in super balances of non-retirees at around 60 per cent.

Australia currently ranks 43rd in the world for gender equality, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022, leaving the nation far behind New Zealand, which sits fourth.

The federal government recently passed legislation that will force employers of more than 100 people to share their pay data next year.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency chief Mary Wooldridge said the changes will mean organisations can no longer ignore their gender wage split.

“Employers have a key role to play in addressing the entrenched gender norms and stereotypes that are a barrier to women’s progression or full participation in the workplace,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“With dedicated, intentional action to address the gender pay gap in their organisation, Australian employers will contribute to accelerating progress to close the national gender pay gap.”

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