Latest news with #WorkplaceGenderEqualityAgency
SBS Australia
20-05-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
The public sector gender pay gap data has been revealed. Here's what to know
Gender pay gaps at Australia's biggest public sector employers have been revealed for the first time, showing lower gaps compared to the private sector. However, men account for just 11 per cent of all primary carers leave taken and 49 per cent of employers still have a gender pay gap in favour of men. Well-known employers such as Australia Post, the Australian Tax Office, Reserve Bank, CSIRO and dozens of federal government departments have had their pay gaps published. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency was able to publish the data after law changes in 2023, with private sector gaps published earlier in 2025. Half of Commonwealth public sector employers have a median total remuneration gender pay gap lower than 4.8 per cent, compared to 8.9 per cent in the private sector. Nearly half have a median total remuneration gender pay gap in the target range of within +/-5 per cent, compared to 31 per cent in the private sector. More than half of employers improved their median total remuneration gender pay gap in the past 12 months. When compared to the private sector, women and men have more balanced representation in the upper pay areas of the Commonwealth public sector. Women also comprise 47 per cent of the highest-paid positions. The results showed how progress could be achieved when employers used long-term and deliberate actions that addressed gender equality, agency chief executive Mary Wooldridge said. "Pleasingly we have also seen large rises in the number of employers conducting a gender pay gap analysis, acting on the results and consulting with employees to understand their experience at work," she said. Although progress had been made, Wooldridge said there was still work to do to improve gender equality. "Workplace gender equality benefits everyone, so it is important that barriers for men are also addressed," she said. She said public sector employers needed to "ensure more men have confidence to take primary carer's leave", urging them to "drive cultural change that removes real or perceived penalties for taking time out for caring roles".
The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Gender diversity in workplaces could help boost profit
Harnessing the benefits of diversity and inclusion within Australian workplaces amid global pushback could boost company profits and improve conditions. That's the verdict of the chief executive of UN Women Australia, which will launch a pioneering leadership network on Tuesday to help address the gender and diversity gap. Diversity and inclusion programs have come under attack overseas, including in the US, where President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end what he has described as "discrimination programs". However, a group of leaders in Australia is instead looking to reap the benefits. "We see an absolute willingness by Australian companies and organisations to really face into what it means to be an Australian entity - we have a culture of a fair go," UN Women Australia's Simone Clarke said. "I'm confident, based on the conversations that I have on a regular basis with our partners, there is an absolute undeniability that people value diversity in the workplace - that there is an opportunity to it." The leadership network unites influential leaders from industries across Australia to foster collaboration and share evidence-based strategies to tackle persistent gender inequality. Australian women currently earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns - an average annual difference of $28,425, Workplace Gender Equality Agency data shows. And despite progress across employers, 79 per cent of workplaces still have gender pay gaps outside the five per cent range. That's where the leadership network comes in. It aims to bring UN Women's global insights to Australian workplaces, companies and academia to better understand gender inequality and its impacts on profitability and pay gaps. "By having a broad cross-sector network, we hope to lift the capability of a range of actors in this space," Ms Clarke said. Companies with higher proportions of female board members or senior executives are 27 per cent more likely to financially outperform those with lower proportions, according to UN Women Australia. Those with diverse executives are 21 per cent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Ms Clarke rejected characterisations of diversity in the workplace as "men versus women". "It's really about balancing out the playing field, but also providing diverse views, because we know in that diversity, we see better results," she said. Harnessing the benefits of diversity and inclusion within Australian workplaces amid global pushback could boost company profits and improve conditions. That's the verdict of the chief executive of UN Women Australia, which will launch a pioneering leadership network on Tuesday to help address the gender and diversity gap. Diversity and inclusion programs have come under attack overseas, including in the US, where President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end what he has described as "discrimination programs". However, a group of leaders in Australia is instead looking to reap the benefits. "We see an absolute willingness by Australian companies and organisations to really face into what it means to be an Australian entity - we have a culture of a fair go," UN Women Australia's Simone Clarke said. "I'm confident, based on the conversations that I have on a regular basis with our partners, there is an absolute undeniability that people value diversity in the workplace - that there is an opportunity to it." The leadership network unites influential leaders from industries across Australia to foster collaboration and share evidence-based strategies to tackle persistent gender inequality. Australian women currently earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns - an average annual difference of $28,425, Workplace Gender Equality Agency data shows. And despite progress across employers, 79 per cent of workplaces still have gender pay gaps outside the five per cent range. That's where the leadership network comes in. It aims to bring UN Women's global insights to Australian workplaces, companies and academia to better understand gender inequality and its impacts on profitability and pay gaps. "By having a broad cross-sector network, we hope to lift the capability of a range of actors in this space," Ms Clarke said. Companies with higher proportions of female board members or senior executives are 27 per cent more likely to financially outperform those with lower proportions, according to UN Women Australia. Those with diverse executives are 21 per cent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Ms Clarke rejected characterisations of diversity in the workplace as "men versus women". "It's really about balancing out the playing field, but also providing diverse views, because we know in that diversity, we see better results," she said. Harnessing the benefits of diversity and inclusion within Australian workplaces amid global pushback could boost company profits and improve conditions. That's the verdict of the chief executive of UN Women Australia, which will launch a pioneering leadership network on Tuesday to help address the gender and diversity gap. Diversity and inclusion programs have come under attack overseas, including in the US, where President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end what he has described as "discrimination programs". However, a group of leaders in Australia is instead looking to reap the benefits. "We see an absolute willingness by Australian companies and organisations to really face into what it means to be an Australian entity - we have a culture of a fair go," UN Women Australia's Simone Clarke said. "I'm confident, based on the conversations that I have on a regular basis with our partners, there is an absolute undeniability that people value diversity in the workplace - that there is an opportunity to it." The leadership network unites influential leaders from industries across Australia to foster collaboration and share evidence-based strategies to tackle persistent gender inequality. Australian women currently earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns - an average annual difference of $28,425, Workplace Gender Equality Agency data shows. And despite progress across employers, 79 per cent of workplaces still have gender pay gaps outside the five per cent range. That's where the leadership network comes in. It aims to bring UN Women's global insights to Australian workplaces, companies and academia to better understand gender inequality and its impacts on profitability and pay gaps. "By having a broad cross-sector network, we hope to lift the capability of a range of actors in this space," Ms Clarke said. Companies with higher proportions of female board members or senior executives are 27 per cent more likely to financially outperform those with lower proportions, according to UN Women Australia. Those with diverse executives are 21 per cent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Ms Clarke rejected characterisations of diversity in the workplace as "men versus women". "It's really about balancing out the playing field, but also providing diverse views, because we know in that diversity, we see better results," she said. Harnessing the benefits of diversity and inclusion within Australian workplaces amid global pushback could boost company profits and improve conditions. That's the verdict of the chief executive of UN Women Australia, which will launch a pioneering leadership network on Tuesday to help address the gender and diversity gap. Diversity and inclusion programs have come under attack overseas, including in the US, where President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end what he has described as "discrimination programs". However, a group of leaders in Australia is instead looking to reap the benefits. "We see an absolute willingness by Australian companies and organisations to really face into what it means to be an Australian entity - we have a culture of a fair go," UN Women Australia's Simone Clarke said. "I'm confident, based on the conversations that I have on a regular basis with our partners, there is an absolute undeniability that people value diversity in the workplace - that there is an opportunity to it." The leadership network unites influential leaders from industries across Australia to foster collaboration and share evidence-based strategies to tackle persistent gender inequality. Australian women currently earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns - an average annual difference of $28,425, Workplace Gender Equality Agency data shows. And despite progress across employers, 79 per cent of workplaces still have gender pay gaps outside the five per cent range. That's where the leadership network comes in. It aims to bring UN Women's global insights to Australian workplaces, companies and academia to better understand gender inequality and its impacts on profitability and pay gaps. "By having a broad cross-sector network, we hope to lift the capability of a range of actors in this space," Ms Clarke said. Companies with higher proportions of female board members or senior executives are 27 per cent more likely to financially outperform those with lower proportions, according to UN Women Australia. Those with diverse executives are 21 per cent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Ms Clarke rejected characterisations of diversity in the workplace as "men versus women". "It's really about balancing out the playing field, but also providing diverse views, because we know in that diversity, we see better results," she said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major change for group of Aussie workers
Large businesses in Australia will undergo a major change to address workplace gender equality after a bill passed parliament on Tuesday. Recent data published by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) found the total remuneration average gender pay gap in Australia was a difference of $28,425 over the course of one year. A review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act identified target-setting was an effective way to improve gender equality in the workplace. Organisations that employ more than 500 people in Australia are now required to implement three gender equality targets into the workplace, and will have three years to achieve or make progress on their targets. Employers can choose which targets they select from a menu, with priority areas covering the gender pay gap, workforce and board composition, support for carers and parents, consultation and prevention of sexual harassment. The changes will apply to nearly 2000 employers and benefit an estimated 3.9 million employees. WGEA found 56 per cent of employers covered by these reforms already had gender equality targets, and about one-third had set three or more targets which met the new requirements. Employers who fail to meet the new requirements risk losing Commonwealth contracts, and will be named and shamed by the agency. WGEA chief executive officer Mary Wooldridge said the new requirement was introduced to accelerate employer actions to ensure all employees were equally valued, rewarded and safe at work. 'While many employers are making great progress on gender equality, there is also a large group of employers who are not,' she said. 'Employers indicate that even when they are aware they have a significant gender pay gap, many haven't taken action to reduce it. 'Targets are specific, time-bound and measurable objectives that set a benchmark for employers to work towards. The evidence available shows they are effective in driving real change. 'By introducing a target setting requirement, Australia is ensuring large employers are publicly accountable to take action and make demonstrable progress towards gender equality.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia's Top Employers for Women in 2025 Revealed - Where Women Thrive at Work
SYDNEY, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Best Workplaces™ for Women in Australia have been announced, recognising companies that lead the way in gender equity, pay transparency, and inclusive workplace policies. Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, has gathered insights representing the voices of 121,888 women across Australia, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the trends shaping women's experiences in the workforce today. The annual list, based on the rigorous Great Place To Work For All™ methodology, evaluates companies through employee trust surveys, gender representation at all levels, workplace policies, and data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). Key 2025 Workplace Trends for Women: Fairness & Pay Equity: Companies that conduct annual pay audits and maintain gender-balanced leadership see higher engagement and retention. Workplace Flexibility & Hybrid Models: Organisations leading in remote work, compressed weeks, and job-sharing initiatives report stronger female workforce participation. Women in Leadership: Companies with structured mentorship and leadership sponsorship programs have a higher representation of women in senior roles. Mental Well-Being & Work-Life Balance: More workplaces are prioritising mental health support, burnout prevention, and well-being initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction. Rebecca Moulynox, General Manager of Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the economic and cultural significance of workplace equity. "This year's Best Workplaces™ for Women demonstrate that true gender equity goes beyond policies—it's about creating real opportunities for women to thrive. These companies prove that investing in women's success is a direct investment in business growth and innovation." Leading Companies Making a Difference Among this year's honourees are carsales, Robert Half, and hipages, who have implemented industry-leading initiatives designed to drive gender equity and create truly inclusive workplaces. On the subject of leadership opportunities for women, David Jones, Senior Managing Director, Robert Half Asia Pacific, said, "Being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women in Australia reflects our commitment to supporting female success through professional development, equitable pay, and leadership opportunities." On gender equality in the workplace, Jodette Cleary, Chief People & Culture Officer, hipages Group, stated, "This is so much more than an accolade—it's a testament to hipages' vision for a truly equal workplace. We are committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity, work-life harmony, and unwavering respect." On women's representation in male-dominated industries, Amelia Evans, CEO, Queensland Airports Limited, remarked, "Aviation has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. That's why I'm especially proud as the CEO of an airport that can inspire and represent the many incredible women in our workforce." Discover the Full List & Insights The full 2025 Best Workplaces™ for Women list and detailed insights into this year's workplace trends can be found here. About Great Place To Work Australia Great Place To Work Australia, founded in 2008, promotes high-trust workplaces emphasising integrity and collaboration. Setting industry standards for workplace excellence, it guides companies in creating exceptional employee experiences. By showcasing exemplary organisations, they encourage the adoption of trust-based practices across ANZ businesses, fostering sustainable growth. Download the latest full report 'Insights from the Best Workplaces in Australia. For more information about Great Place To Work® visit: Best Workplaces for Women 2025 4 Pines Brewing AbbVie Adobe AF Legal Group Allianz Australia Alluvium Group Arjo Australia Avenue Dental Beiersdorf Australia Ltd BeiGene AUS Pty Ltd BGL Corporate Solutions Boston Scientific Carlisle Homes carsales Cisco CreditorWatch Pty Ltd Danone Oceania Eight Homes EML Group Export Finance Australia General Mills Australia Genpact Australia Pty Ltd Gilchrist Connell H&H Group (Swisse Wellness) Henry Schein Australia Hilton hipages Group Infoxchange Insight Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd Invest Blue JAYBRO GROUP PTY LTD. Jetts Fitness Just Better Care Mattel Australia Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd Moose Toys NeuroRehab Allied Health Network Novo Nordisk Australia Pinnacle Rehab Prospa Queensland Airports Limited Queensland Country Bank Robert Half Inc Sandoz Smokeball Specsavers Story House Early Learning Tableland Veterinary Service The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Universal Pictures International Australasia Pty Ltd View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Great Place To Work Australia Sign in to access your portfolio
Bloomberg
03-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Australian Gender Pay Gap Endures as Data Expands for CEOs
Good morning. It's Angus here in Sydney. Here's what you need to know to start your working day. Today's must-reads: • Australian finance's lingering pay gap • East coast braces for cyclone • Star Entertainment shares suspended Pay for women and men at firms in Australia's financial and insurance services sector remains among the most unequal, with high-paying employers the most likely to have a pay difference in favor of men, according to expanded data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The 22.2% pay gap in finance and insurance was second only to the construction industry.
