Despite decades of effort by government, employers, unions and education institutions, gender inequalities are an intractable feature of the Australian labour market.
Stubborn gaps in participation, pay and career progression are holding women, business, and the national economy back. Many of the unequal features of the Australian labour market, such as the concentration of men and women in different industries and occupations, have barely shifted in three decades.
Progress has been made in recent years, with data collected by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency informing action to reduce some workplace and labour market gender gaps. However, there is much more work to do.
Understanding and addressing gender gaps requires a nuanced examination of the differences in men’s and women’s labour market experiences. This includes not only pay disparities but also variations in hours worked, job locations and intensity, and workplace experiences.
We thank the many supporters and partners who contributed to the development of this Index. We hope it sparks informed debate and, most importantly, drives action to address gender inequality at work.
Measuring Gender Equality at Work in Australia
The Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work
Professor Elizabeth Hill,
Professor Rae Cooper AO,
Dr. Suneha Seetahul,
Anya Bedi.
The Gender Equality @ Work Index, developed by the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work at the University of Sydney, offers a comprehensive, national, and longitudinal snapshot of gender equality at work. It provides insights for the community, policymakers, and employers on Australia’s progress and highlights areas requiring urgent action to address the root causes of inequality.
Why gender equality at work matters
Improved attraction & retention
Companies with higher levels of gender diversity have lower turnover and higher retention among women employees.
(Holmes et al., 2021).
The right & fair thing to do
Gender equality is a fundamental human right that helps create a peaceful and sustainable economy and society (UN Women & UN DESA, 2025).
Great innovation
Inclusive and gender-diverse business cultures are associated with greater creativity and innovation (DiTomaso et al., 2007).
Boost labour supply
Innovative practices that build gender equality will boost women’s labour force participation and strengthen overall economic growth (Duncan et al., 2024; Jobs and Skills Australia, 2023).
Increase in market value
An increase of 10 percentage points or more in the share of female Key Management Personnel leads to a 6.6% increase in the market value of Australian ASX-listed companies (WGEA & BCEC, 2020).