Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
By the time a woman is in her 50s, she is more than $50,000 behind men the same age, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
The new data, from more than 5.1 million working Australians, shows that while men and women roughly earn the same in their teens and early 20s, the gender pay gap hits its stride when a woman is in her 30s. At this age, a woman earns $15,276 less than a man the same age.
The figure peaks between ages 55-59, where the pay gap is $52,992.
WGEA, which publishes annual gender pay gap reports, only started collecting age information alongside pay data last year, meaning these latest figures show for the first time the full extent to which the gender pay gap grows throughout a woman’s career.
A bar chart titled "How the gender pay gap increases with age" shows average total remuneration for men and women across age groups, based on data from Workplace Gender Equality Agency Australia. For each group, men’s earnings (blue bars) are consistently higher than women’s (red bars), and the pay gap widens with age.

The CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Mary Wooldridge, emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure women receive equitable opportunities in their careers.

In its report, WGEA highlighted a staggering statistic: when the earnings gap is calculated from ages 15 to 67, women earn on average $1.5 million less than their male counterparts.

A proven path to a higher salary is advancing into management positions. However, by the age of 34, men predominantly occupy these roles, according to the report’s findings.
There are a few ways this happens.
First, as women age, they are more likely to work part-time. The number of women in full-time employment sits at around 50 per cent.
For men, the percentage in full-time employment is anywhere from 60 to 80 per cent, depending on age.

“We urge employers to alter the narrative and pave the way for a fairer future,” Wooldridge stated.

Women who do become managers still earn less, with women managers between 55 and 50 earning an average of $85,662 less than male managers of the same age.
The choice of profession could be another factor. The gender pay gap is smallest for workers under 20, who tend to be working in retail or food services.
After age 20, more women are employed in lower-paid sectors such as healthcare, social services, and education, and these professions stay dominant until retirement.
These sectors have seen recent wage growth, with childcare workers now earning $2800 more on average per year, but not enough to close the gap.

Mary Wooldridge of WGEA also pointed out that bridging the gender pay gap brings advantages to both men and women in the workforce. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Wooldridge called on employers to take early action.

“We’re asking employers to change the story and shape the future,” she said.

A woman in a grey shirt speaking into a microphone with flags behind her.

WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge says that fixing the gender pay gap benefits both men and women in the workplace. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Actions like offering equal parental leave to women and men can help lift the burden of unpaid care work that women experience as they age.

Woolridge also said employers should be open to making more manager roles part-time, or job share. This would require shifting attitudes around part-time workers being perceived as less productive or committed to their jobs.
Ultimately, WGEA said fixing this gap will make workplaces better for both men and women by offering more flexibility and fair access to leave for everyone.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Sophia Begg is one of Australia's most recognisable young influencers and co-founder of fashion brand All For Mimi.

Young Entrepreneur Shares Common Jobseeker Mistake to Avoid

Exclusive Series Launch: Today, nine.com.au is debuting a new series where we…
explosions went off at a high school compound in Jakarta

Explosions Rock Indonesian High School: 54 Injured in Devastating Incident

Indonesian authorities said they have identified a 17-year-old boy as the suspected…
Scotland skipper Sione Tuipulotu shows off his country's commemorative jersey for the Murrayfield Test against the All Blacks

Scotland Skipper Tuipulotu Rallies Team Spirit Ahead of Epic Showdown Against All Blacks: 67,000 Fans Expected!

Scotland’s captain, Sione Tuipulotu, is rallying his squad to seize the moment…

Evacuation Orders Issued for South Lebanon Villages Amid Intense Israeli Airstrikes

The Israeli military carried out heavy airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday…
US teacher shot by six-year-old student wins $15 million payout

U.S. Educator Awarded $15 Million Settlement After Being Shot by Six-Year-Old Student

A U.S. jury has awarded a substantial $10 million ($15.4 million AUD)…
Wayne Hunt

Heartfelt Apology: Prison Nurse Addresses Family After Inmate’s Tragic Death

In an emotional moment at an inquest, a prison nurse has issued…

Unveiling Australia’s Regional Property Boom: Surprising Costs and Hidden Caveats

There’s a lot of money to be made in Australia’s ‘ghost towns’.…

Palestinian Militants Release Israeli Hostage’s Body in Tense Exchange

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a coffin carrying the remains…
Graham Richardson arriving at Hotel Realm for the Labor Fundraiser.

Prominent Labor Figure Graham Richardson Passes Away at 76

Graham Richardson, a notable figure who played key roles as a former…
Thousands of flights to be cut across US airports amid government shutdown

US Airports Brace for Turbulence: Thousands of Flights Slashed as Government Shutdown Looms

Some of the busiest airports in the United States, including those serving…

Sam Witnesses Climate Change’s Toll on Desert Lands, Takes Her Advocacy to the United Nations

Sam Murray remembers learning about the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef.…
Famed film director Lee Tamahori has died at home in New Zealand at the age of 75. The Hollywood stalwart had been battling Parkinson's disease, his family revealed to New Zealand's public broadcasting company on Friday. 'His legacy endures with his whānau, his mokopuna, every filmmaker he inspired, every boundary he broke, and every story he told with his genius eye and honest heart,' his family told RNZ.

Legendary James Bond Director Lee Tamahori Passes Away at 75 After Battling Illness

Renowned filmmaker Lee Tamahori has passed away at the age of 75…