The gender pay gap in Australia has shown a mixed picture, with a slight overall improvement overshadowed by a significant worsening of pay disparity among the nation's top executives, according to the latest data.
A National Picture of Slow Progress
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency's (WGEA) comprehensive analysis of 5.4 million workers across more than 8,200 employers revealed that the national gender pay gap now stands at 21.1% for the 2024-25 period. This marks a 0.7 percentage point improvement from the previous year.
On average, this means women earn 78.9 cents for every dollar earned by men, translating to an annual salary difference of approximately $28,000. Mary Wooldridge, Chief Executive of WGEA, acknowledged that while the gap remains substantial, 'progress is happening' and is even accelerating.
'Employers are shifting the dial towards fairness which is helping to close the gender pay gap,' Wooldridge stated. She attributed the improvements to more employers implementing policies that challenge gender norms around leadership and caring responsibilities.
Regional Disparities and a Troubling Trend at the Top
The report highlighted significant variations across states. Western Australia reported the largest pay gap at 28.8%, while Tasmania had the smallest at 10.6%. Encouragingly, every single state and territory recorded an improvement.
However, a deeply concerning trend emerged at the highest levels of corporate leadership. The pay gap for chief executive officers widened by 1.2 percentage points over the past year, reaching 26.2%. The base salary for women CEOs was $83,493 lower than their male counterparts. When superannuation, bonuses, and other additional payments were factored in, this chasm expanded to a staggering $185,335.
This pay disparity exists alongside a severe lack of gender representation in leadership. The report found that women account for only:
- One in five CEOs
- One in three board directors
- Four in ten management roles
The Path Forward: Parental Leave and Policy
One area showing promising change is parental leave. The data indicated that working men are now taking a 20% share of primary carer leave, a 3 percentage point increase. Wooldridge emphasised the importance of building on this trend.
'Employers should review their policies to ensure men have equal access to parental leave and flexible working arrangements,' she urged. 'This should be supported by a culture that encourages and enables both men and women to use this leave.'
This latest report builds on earlier research from Jobs and Skills Australia, which found a pay gap favouring men in 98% of all occupations, including female-dominated fields like nursing. The findings underscore the complex and pervasive nature of the gender pay gap across the entire Australian economy.
