Today the Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to help close the gender pay gap for women in Australia.
The Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 has passed the Parliament.
That means from early 2024, the gender pay gaps of employers with 100 or more workers will be published – a key reform to drive transparency and action towards closing the gender pay gap.
In 2023, Australia’s national gender pay gap was 13.3 per cent. The average weekly full-time earnings of a woman in Australia are $253.50 lower per week than the equivalent for men.
Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, says this Bill is a critical step towards achieving women’s economic equality.
“The Albanese Labor Government is getting on with the job of closing the gender pay gap for women in Australia, and our efforts to drive a better deal for Australian women doesn’t stop there.”
“In just nine months in government, we have already got cracking in other areas to progress the economic equality of women with access to cheaper childcare and the increase to 26 weeks for Paid Parental Leave; through our Industrial Relations changes; and through our investments in housing and women’s safety”.
“On current projections it will take another 26 years to close the gender pay gap. Women have waited long enough for the pay gap to close – this government will not let them wait another quarter of a century.”
Gender pay gaps will be published on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency website.