SA best on gender pay gap but still told to lift its game
South Australia has the lowest gender pay gap in the nation at 7.4 per cent but equality advocates are still calling on employers to lift their pay game, saying the $124 difference in pay packets each week is too high.
Despite being the lowest gap between men and women’s earnings across the states, the SA figure has actually increased by 0.3 per cent compared to May 2021 when it was 7.1 per cent.
Workplace Gender Equality Agency director Mary Wooldridge is calling on employers to do more about gender equality in workplaces to ensure they attract the best talent.
Across the nation, the average pay gap figure is now 14.1 per cent, an increase of 0.3 per cent over the past six months, with men earning an average $263.90 more than women a week. Western Australia recorded the largest disparity of 22.4 per cent, or $471.70 a week.
“The gender pay gap (in SA) means women have $124 less to spend every single week on food, rent, fuel, their child’s education and daily essentials. While women are earning less, they’re spending the same as men on the essentials we all need to survive,” Wooldridge said.
As inflation continues to take its toll on household bills, the latest figures from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) show every industry nationally is recording significant gender pay gaps with the highest in professional, scientific and technical services at 25.3 per cent nationally.
You might like
The health care and social assistance sector recorded 22.2 per cent, according to the WGEA, a government agency working to promote and improve gender equality in Australian workplaces
This means women have to work harder to make ends meet, according to Wooldridge, and their financial freedom and independence is affected.
Taking into account the large number of women working part-time, the gender pay gap for all employees is far higher.
“We are calling on employers to take immediate action to reduce the gender pay gap by conducting a pay gap audit. This will give them a clear picture of what’s driving their pay gaps and the opportunities for improvement, that will benefit their employees and their business over time.”
Stay informed, daily
“Persistent inequalities in weekly earnings in all Australian states and territories, and across all industries, are straining women’s ability to make ends meet and to support themselves and their family,” Wooldridge said.
“Policies and practices that improve gender equality in the workplace are the right thing to do and are good for business and good for our country’s prosperity.”
SA’s lower figure was partially attributed to a higher number of employees in this state working in the public sector, traditionally an area with lower gender pay gaps and more balanced gender representation.
It is a significant improvement compared to 2013 when it was recorded at a high of 16.5 per cent.
“Private employers have embraced the benefits of gender-equal workplaces, but although we are on the path to improvement, change isn’t happening fast enough,” Wooldridge said.
“If employers want to attract the best talent, they need to prioritise gender equality.
“Environments that enable and encourage women to take more senior leadership positions, policies that support flexible work and conducting regular pay audits are just some of the immediate opportunities that can be put in place.”
