More inclusive workplace policies, stronger anti-discrimination measures encouraged to address the issue
Australians who identify as LGBTQ+ are facing employment inequalities amid persistent structural and workplace-level barriers, according to a new study, which called for more inclusive policies to address the issue.
The study from Monash University analysed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey to find that LGBTQ+ Australians experience higher unemployment, reduced labour force participation, and concentration in less stable or lower-paid sectors compared with heterosexual and cisgender Australians.
It found that gay and lesbian participants were more than twice as likely to be unemployed compared to heterosexual Australians, while transgender and gender-diverse participants worked fewer hours on average.
Bisexual participants also had higher rates of unemployment and labour force non-participation, according to the study. They were also more likely to work part-time or take unpaid leave.
LGBTQ+ Australians were also underrepresented in various sectors, particularly cis-male-dominated and culturally conservative sectors such as trades, manual occupations, agriculture, and construction.
"Our findings show that employment inequalities for LGBTQ+ Australians persist even when accounting for age, education, and socioeconomic background," said Dee Tomic, a research fellow at Monash University who led the study, in a statement.
Workplace barriers driving disparities
Tomic said their findings suggest "structural and workplace-level barriers" impacting LGBTQ+ workers' access to secure employment.
These barriers potentially include discriminatory hiring practices or workplace cultures, according to the study.
It may also be the result of "anticipatory avoidance," where LGBTQ+ Australians choose to move away from male-dominated or culturally conservative sectors that are perceived as unsafe or unwelcoming.
Instead, these individuals may gravitate towards potentially safer or more flexible roles in service-oriented sectors, which often provide less stability, fewer benefits, and limited advancement opportunities, the study stated.
"Many LGBTQ+ people may prioritise psychological safety over pay or career progression if workplace cultures feel hostile or exclusionary," Tomic said.
"This can result in occupational segregation that limits long-term economic security."
Inclusive workplace policies needed
The researchers are calling for inclusive workplace policies to address the issue of work disparities for LGBTQ+ Australians.
They also called for stronger anti-discrimination measures, and better data on sexual and gender diversity in employment.
"Improving LGBTQ+ inclusion at work isn't just about individual workplaces," Tomic said. "It requires broader cultural change, inclusive education and career pathways, and structural reforms that ensure everyone has access to safe, meaningful, and secure employment."
