MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

As It Stands, Women In Australia Currently Earn $261.50 Less Than Men Per Week

Equal Pay Day has highlighted that things aren't getting better. - by Jess Pullar
  • 31 Aug 2021
As It Stands, Women In Australia Currently Earn $261.50 Less Than Men Per Week

Today marks 61 days since the end of the financial year. Each of those days marks the amount of additional working time it takes for a woman to earn as much as a man does in Australia each and every year. 

The only thing is, those extra 61 days a year do not exist. And nor should they. In the literal world, women work the same amount of days as men, yet they earn $261.50 less per week on average—and that's a troubling statistic.

Today, August 31, is Equal Pay Day in Australia—held on the date following the end of financial year that marks each and every extra day a woman must work on average in order to earn the same annual pay as men. Over the last six months, we've seen that figure worsen. 

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has released its latest statistics, showing a 14.2 per cent difference in the annual pay packets between men and women—this also marks a concerning 0.8pp rise in the previous gender pay gap of 13.4%. 

woman-working
Getty

But how is this happening? And more pertinently, why is it getting worse?

Data from the Australian Bureau Of Statistics (ABS) has shown the rise in the national gender pay gap was mainly driven by a higher growth in full-time wages for men, with a 1.8 per cent increase. Meanwhile women saw a 0.9 per cent increase.

Per the ABS, the construction industry experienced a high average earnings growth, subsequently increasing the male wage on average given the industry is largely dominated by men. 

Moreover, industries with a higher proportion of women are struggling in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professions including childhood education, health care and aged care have all experienced troubling job losses and hourly cuts. This has ultimately contributed to a decrease in the average female wage. 

WGEA Director Mary Wooldridge said the latest stats were a cause for concern: "Our data shows women’s average full-time wages are lower than men’s across every industry and occupation in Australia. The gender pay gap signifies that the work of women is still not treated as being of equal value to that of men." 

And on a sobering note, she explained at the rate Australia is currently moving to close the pay gap, it'll take 26 years before both genders receive an equal average pay. 

working-from-home
Getty

Wooldridge is now urging action from both employers and employees to help create change in the space. 

“Research proves that regular audits close pay gaps faster," she explained, adding that 2021 data from the Gender Equity Insights Report showed employers who consistently did pay audits in their companies "closed their managerial pay gaps faster than all other companies". 

And as employees, it's also possible to take some action. You can go to the WGEA website to find out if your own employer has done a pay gap audit. 

"Start a conversation with your colleagues and friends about the gender pay gap, what it means to you and to them and how you can help to close it. We can all work together to eliminate gender pay discrimination,” Wooldridge added. 

Jess Pullar
Jess Pullar
Jess Pullar is the Culture Editor (digital) of marie claire and ELLE. When she's not gazing at sunsets, she enjoys tucking into a green tea and re-watching 'Sex And The City'.

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Queensland Rugby League Just Announced Its Female Players Will Receive Equal Pay To Its Male Team

The Queensland Rugby League Just Announced Its Female Players Will Receive Equal Pay To Its Male Team

It Will Take 257 Years For The Gender Pay Gap To Close

It Will Take 257 Years For The Gender Pay Gap To Close

Why We’ll Be At The MCG On International Women’s Day 2020

Why We’ll Be At The MCG On International Women’s Day 2020

The 10 Most Memorable Moments for Women In 2019

The 10 Most Memorable Moments for Women In 2019

{headline}

{headline}

From This Week On, Women Fundamentally Work For Free For The Rest Of The Year

From This Week On, Women Fundamentally Work For Free For The Rest Of The Year

These 40 Quotes From Incredible Women Are All The Empowerment Inspo You Need

These 40 Quotes From Incredible Women Are All The Empowerment Inspo You Need

In Monopoly's New Edition, Women Earn More Than Men

In Monopoly's New Edition, Women Earn More Than Men

{headline}

{headline}

How THIS Company Fixed The Gender Pay Gap

How THIS Company Fixed The Gender Pay Gap

Guess What Is Really Causing The Gender Pay Gap?

Guess What Is Really Causing The Gender Pay Gap?

Are We Facing A Stall In The Gender Equality Movement?

Are We Facing A Stall In The Gender Equality Movement?

Crowd Chants "Equal Pay" For US Women's Soccer Team After World Cup Win

Crowd Chants "Equal Pay" For US Women's Soccer Team After World Cup Win

What Is The Average Income In Australia By Age?

What Is The Average Income In Australia By Age?

Meet The Male Allies Championing Women At Work

Meet The Male Allies Championing Women At Work

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

Survey Finds Nearly Half Of Men Believe The Gender Pay Gap Isn't Real

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire