For every dollar earned by man, woman earns 87 cents
The gender pay gap in Australia fell for the second consecutive year to hit a record-low 13%, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday.
This means for every dollar a man earns in Australia, a woman makes 87 cents. Annually, this means women on average are earning $13,120 less in their base salary than what men earn.
The ABS attributed the narrowing gender pay gap to the increase in full-time wages in female-dominated jobs, such as teaching and nursing.
The increases recorded in these jobs also contributed to the growth of average weekly ordinary time earnings in Australia, which rose to $1,838 in May 2023.
"The annual increase of 3.9%, or $68 per week, represented continuing strong annual growth in average weekly earnings for full-time workers," said Bjorn Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics, in a media release.
"Other than a brief spike in average earnings early in the pandemic, when lower-paying jobs were particularly impacted, this is the strongest annual growth since May 2013."
Women are particularly benefiting from strong gains in robust wage growth and full-time employment, according to ASPL Group CEO Kris Grant.
"Full-time adult average weekly total earnings for women jumped 4.6% over the year to May 2023, well above growth in male average weekly earnings of 3.6%," Grant said in a statement.
New record to act as springboard
Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) CEO Mary Wooldridge said they are "energised" by the lowest-ever national gender pay gap.
"This momentum is a springboard for renewed action for employers to prioritise gender equality and ensure that we continue to work towards closing the gender pay gap," Wooldridge said in a statement.
The CEO, however, warned Australia against "resting on its laurels."
WGEA, citing ABS data, pointed out that women are still earning on average less than men across all industries and in every state and territory. The gender pay gap also went up in 10 out of 18 industries in the last six months, according to the agency.
Employers' role in closing the gap
Employers have a significant role in addressing the gender norms and stereotypes that prevent women's progression or full participation in the workplace, according to Wooldridge.
"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," the CEO said.
The findings come ahead of Australia's Equal Pay Day on August 26, which marks the 56 days that women must work to earn the same, on average, as men.
"This year we are calling on employers to recognise that 'what's missing matters' in a whole range of situations, and particularly the missing pay for women matters. And we are asking employers to do something about it," Wooldridge said.
In Australia, employers with over 100 employees will be required starting 2024 to publish their gender pay gaps as part of the government's measures to close the disparity.
