Women's average earnings went up faster than men's, according to official data
Australia's gender pay gap hit a record low as women's workforce participation reached a record high, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The gender pay gap in average weekly ordinary full-time earnings went down from 11.9% to 11.5% in May 2025.
Men's weekly ordinary time earnings reach $2,106.40, just above women's $1,864.10, according to the ABS.
"This is the equal lowest gender pay gap in this series, with female average earnings rising faster than male earnings," said Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics, in a statement.
Federal Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the results are not by accident.
"It's the result of intentional, sustained work by the Albanese Labor Government to help Australian women get a better deal and take home more in their weekly pay packets," Gallagher said in a statement.
Average weekly earnings
Overall, the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults reached $2,010 in May 2025, the first time it exceeded $2,000.
"Annual growth in May 2025 remained high at 4.5%, a rise of $86.60 a week from May 2024. This was just below the annual growth rate of 4.6% in the year to November 2024," Crick said.
Average weekly earnings growth in the private sector was also stronger after an annual increase of 4.6%, compared to the public sector's 3.6%.
By location, full-time workers in the Australian Capital Territory saw the highest weekly earnings at $2,236.60.
Workers in the mining industry were also paid the highest, with $3,174.50 a week for full-time employees.
Female participation hits record high
Meanwhile, female participation in the workforce reached a new record of 63.5% in July, according to separate ABS data.
Female full-time workers grew by 40,000, much higher than the 20,000 increase in male full-time employees.
The employment-to-population ratio for women also hit 60.9% in July, another record high.
Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth called the ABS findings "encouraging news."
"Not only has the gender pay gap fallen to its record low, it is also encouraging to see data today showing a record 63.5% of women are now participating in the labour market and the number of women in work full time work grew by 40,100 in July," Rishworth said in a statement.
Unemployment down
Overall, Australia's unemployment rate fell to 4.2% in July, according to the ABS, with the number of jobless people dropping by 10,000 people.
Employment, on the other hand, went up by 60,000 people, driven strongly by full-time employment. However, this was slightly offset by a 36,000-person drop in part-time work.
Underemployment went down to 5.9% in July, while the underutilisation rate fell to 10.1%.
