Statement from Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association, Australian Industry Group.
Today’s publication of employer gender pay gaps by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) highlights that many employers are already successfully taking meaningful steps to improve workplace equality.
WGEA has today released results for more than 10,500 employers covering nearly 5.9 million Australians, and its analysis finds more employer gender pay gaps are smaller today than they were a year ago.
The national midpoint of average total remuneration employer gender pay gaps has fallen to 11.2% (down 0.9pp), and more than 50% of employers reduced their average total remuneration gender pay gap in the last reporting period. More employers are now in the target range of ±5% (22.5%), and 68% conducted a gender pay gap analysis.
Despite this, private sector employers with 500+ employees will soon be additionally required to select, and achieve or make progress on, gender equality targets over three years in their 2025–26 reporting between 1 April and 31 May 2026. If WGEA determines an employee has failed to meet or demonstrate improvement without reasonable excuse the employer may not be eligible to supply goods or services to government.
Australian Industry Group said today's results show business is already delivering progress without the need for heavyhanded mandates imposed through targets.
The results also demonstrate that we certainly don’t need heavy handed new rules potentially preventing employers from contracting with Government or receiving Government funding unless they comply with gender equity targets overseen by WGEA, as appears to be under contemplation through the Federal Government's proposed 'Secure Australian Jobs Code'.
Media Enquiries: Gemma Daley – 0418 148 821
