New data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has revealed significant gender pay gaps in Geelong's education and business sectors, highlighting persistent disparities in career advancement opportunities for women. The national median gender pay gap stands at 19 per cent, meaning women earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men.
The data, published for the first time at individual employer level, shows that the gender pay gap reflects differences in median pay across organisations, often indicating who occupies higher-paying roles. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher emphasised that the aim is not to shame employers but to drive change and ensure women have fair access to opportunities.
In Geelong, the education sector shows notable gaps, with some institutions reporting disparities favouring men. The business sector also reveals significant variations, with some companies having relatively small gaps while others exceed the national average. The data underscores that the issue is not about equal pay for the same job, which has been legally required for 50 years, but about occupational segregation and career progression.
WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge stated that transparency is key to progressing gender equality. She noted that the data sets a benchmark for employers, with some already focused on improvement while others still need to address the issue. More than 200 employers, including The Body Shop and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, failed to submit data on time and are listed as non-compliant.
A2 Milk Company CEO David Bortolussi acknowledged his company's 40.5 per cent gender pay gap, one of the highest among ASX200 companies. He expressed disappointment, attributing it to workforce composition rather than equal pay issues. He supported WGEA's transparency efforts, noting that the gap is inconsistent with the company's values and global numbers.
