What is the gender pay gap?
The gender pay gap is a measure of how we value the contribution of men and women in the workforce.
Expressed as a percentage or a dollar figure it shows the difference between the earnings of women and men.
Closing the gender pay gap is important for Australia’s economic future and reflects our aspiration to be an equal and fair society for all.
The gender pay gap is not the same as equal pay
Equal pay is where women and men are paid the same for performing the same role or different work of equal or comparable value. In Australia, this has been a legal requirement since 1969. Gender pay gaps are not a comparison of like roles. Instead, they show the difference between the average or median pay of women and men across organisations, industries and the workforce as a whole.
What causes the gender pay gap?
The gap between women and men’s average earnings is the result of social and economic factors that combine to reduce women’s earning capacity over their lifetime.
Workplace Equity
Local Mildura Cr Helen Healy reports “I was interviewed recently about the gender pay gap and was pleased to see, in the print article that on a whole Mildura businesses rated well, but most impressed by TASCO Petroleum who had a zero rating – absolute equity!”
“My attention was drawn to them because as many of you will know, they are one of the most generous businesses in the region when it comes to supporting community events and initiatives and most particularly when it comes to arts and culture.” I’ve always been a big fan and now even more when I see their commitment, not only to community, but also to workplace equity.”
“The Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s ratings are important as they give us the clearest picture of the pay gap. It’s not about equal pay for an equal job – (after decades of struggle, women achieved that in 1969 and are still celebrating!) – it’s about adding up all the pay (except the CEO) in a workplace (including overtime, bonuses and equivalent FT) and dividing it according to the number of men and women on the payroll. Other stats, based on industry averages, don’t cut the mustard as we all know CEO salaries distort the figures and the majority of women in the workforce are in part time or casual positions and in the lower paid caring roles. Publishing more realistic data opens businesses to genuine commitment and improvement and accelerates change.”
