Australia is implementing new measures to address its gender pay gap. In February, companies with 100 or more employees will have their pay discrepancies between male and female workers published online. This is a result of legislation passed by the government with the goal of improving transparency and bolstering women’s participation in the workforce. The goal is to help close the gender pay gap.
Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, sees this as a major step forward. She emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and holding organizations accountable for gender pay discrepancies. The gender pay gap, though at its lowest levels, is still at 21.7 percent, resulting in a significant annual disparity of about $26,400 less for women.
There are various underlying reasons for these wage discrepancies, including gender-segregated workplaces, women’s caregiving responsibilities, and high rates of part-time work. The hope is that publishing this data will lead to action by providing employees with a better understanding and the ability to advocate for higher wages or seek employment with companies working to address pay gaps.
Since the legislation was passed, companies have begun sharing their data with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency and highlighting their efforts to close gender pay gaps. Minister Gallagher encourages employers to become active partners in addressing these discrepancies, and anticipates that significant gender pay gaps will prompt companies to change their approach. The employer gender pay gaps will be publicly disclosed on February 27th.