Women Advance in Management, Gap Narrows

0:00In Sydney today, March 2nd, new data from Australia's workplace gender equality agency shows more women moving into management roles but men are still nearly two times more, likely to be in the highest earning jobs. The report covers more than 10,500 employers with almost 5.9 million workers in 2024-25. Overall average pay rose 3.6 percent, with bigger gains for lower paid groups, mostly women helping shrink the national gender pay gap. Highest paying sectors like construction and finance have the widest gaps. In construction, women make up just 1 in 10 of the top earners, averaging $270,433, but nearly 4 in 10 of the lowest paid at $80,614. Finance sees top earners, one-third women, at $323,593, while the bottom group, two-thirds women, averaged $79,380.

1:00More employers now hit the target of less than 5 percent pay gaps up to 22.5 percent from last year. Women dominated fields like healthcare, public administration, and food services lead here. For the first time, data from 126 public sector employers shows narrower gaps than private firms, thanks to structured career paths, and merit systems. Women gain 1 percentage point in top pay brackets, and lost the same in the bottom, linked to more high pay management spots. But bonuses, overtime, and extras, widen gaps, with men getting nearly 30 percent more in half of workplaces. Agency head Mary Wildridge notes progress even in male-heavy industries, but urges deeper pay audits and targets. Only 1 quarter of employers do full analysis, and some gaps grew as firms hire and train more women for top roles long-term. DNA is sponsored by our partner. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com.