A landmark report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) reveals that men are paid more than women in 98% of occupations, with female workers typically earning 70 cents for every dollar earned by their male colleagues after ten years in the workforce. The gender pay gap averages 30% across workplaces, rising to nearly 40% for First Nations women.
The report highlights persistent gender segregation in Australian workplaces, with no progress on gender balance in about seven in ten occupations over the past 15 years. Experts attribute the gap largely to the 'motherhood penalty', where women's earnings drop by 55% in the five years after having their first child, with only slight improvement a decade later due to part-time work and missed promotions.
Occupational pay gaps are widest in the most segregated roles. Female registered nurses earn 21% less than male peers despite working only 10% fewer hours and comprising 90% of the workforce. In childcare, where the workforce is almost entirely female, men are typically paid 14% more. The report also links gender segregation to acute labour shortages in sectors like construction and nursing.
JSA deputy commissioner Megan Lilly described gender occupational segregation as 'a handbrake on our economy', urging policymakers to address economic inequality. 'Fix segregation and you fix occupational shortages and gender pay gaps,' she said.
