Some [Un]Equal Pay Days are more [un]equal than others
To mark this year’s [Un]Equal Pay Day on 28 August 2019, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has calculated the date of each Australian state and territory’s [Un]Equal Pay Day.
| Gender pay gap | Difference in average weekly full-time salary | Women's additional working days (on average)* | State's [Un]Equal Pay Day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia | 9.2% | $140.90 | 37 | 6 August |
| Victoria | 9.6% | $160.00 | 38 | 7 August |
| Tasmania | 12.4% | $152.60 | 42 | 11 August |
| Australian Capital Territory | 12.5% | $240.40 | 52 | 21 August |
| Northern Territory | 13.4% | $240.70 | 56 | 25 August |
| New South Wales | 14.6% | $257.60 | 62 | 31 August |
| Queensland | 16.6% | $281.40 | 72 | 10 September |
| Western Australia | 21.8% | $419.40 | 101 | 9 October |
National |
14% |
$241.50 |
59 |
28 August |
*Rounded to nearest decimal point.
“The gender pay gap matters for women. Although the gap is closing faster in some states than others, Australian women still have to deal with a pay gap favouring men in every state and territory of our nation,” said Libby Lyons, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
“These results also show that the barriers women face in having the same opportunities and rewards in our workplaces as men remain stubbornly persistent. It’s well beyond time for this to change.
“We have to see more employer action on addressing pay equity if we are going to keep reducing the gender pay gap. I urge all Australian employers to take action now.
“The gender pay gap will not close on its own. It will only close if all of us – employers and employees, women and men – work together to make it happen”, she said.
About the national gender pay gap
The national gender pay gap measures the difference between the average weekly full-time base salary earnings of women and men, expressed as a percentage of men’s earnings. It is a measure of women’s overall position in the paid workforce and does not compare like roles.
The gender pay gap is not the difference between two people being paid differently for work of equal or comparable value. This is unequal pay and it is unlawful.
Key facts
- The national gender pay gap is 14.0%. It has declined from 14.1% in the past 6 months.
- On average, women working full-time earned $1484.80 while men working full-time earned $1726.30.
- Full-time average weekly earnings difference between women and men is $241.50.
More information: Gender pay gap statistics fact sheet; WGEA data explorer
Media Contact: Murray Black 0438 071 876 / E murray.black@wgea.gov.au
About the Agency: The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is an Australian Government statutory agency charged with promoting and improving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Related resources
Each year we calculate the national gender pay gap using the latest Average Weekly Earnings trend series data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), marking the additional days from the end of the previous financial year that women must work, on average, to earn the same amount as men earned that year.
We have waited 59 [un]equal days and finally today is Equal Pay Day, Wednesday 28 August. [Un]Equal Pay Day marks the additional 59 days women must work from the end of the last financial year to earn the same amount as men.
Last week, in the lead up to Equal Pay Day, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, (‘the Agency’) in partnership with KPMG Australia and the Diversity Council of Australia, launched the newest instalment of She’s Price(d)less: the economics of the gender pay gap.
Each year, many different countries across the globe mark their own versions of Equal Pay Day in the calendar year and put their own spin on how to highlight the gender pay gap.
The gender pay gap – while it looks like just a number on a page, it means so much more in reality. Ahead of Equal Pay Day this Wednesday 28 August 2019, it is important that we take a step back and really look at what the gender pay gap means for you, your family, your workplace and Australia.
Last month, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (‘the Agency’) published a quiz testing the public’s knowledge on the gender pay gap. Since its release, the Agency has received over 500 responses. The average score was 71% - 9.2 out of 13. Around one in five respondents scored within 90%-100%.