The gender pay gap remains an obstacle to economic equality in South Australia. Women continue to earn less than men, affecting their financial security, career opportunities, and long-term well-being. Closing the gender pay gap will improve the lives of women across South Australia.  

On average, for every dollar men earn in South Australia, women earn just over 90 cents. This means women earn about $190 less per week than men, adding up to $9,412 less per year. The report shows that South Australia’s gender pay gap is currently 9.8%. While SA has the third smallest pay gap in Australia, it has grown by 1.8 percentage points since the Taskforce started in 2022. 

The South Australian Gender Pay Gap Taskforce 

The Taskforce is made of representatives from government, business, and gender equality experts. Sarah Andrews MP, Chair of the Taskforce, said their work focused on understanding why the gender pay gap exists and identifying solutions to close it.  

Over the past two years, we have done a lot of research and put together a report that explains the complex reasons behind South Australia’s gender pay gap,  Andrews said.

The Taskforce focused on: 

• Identifying the key factors driving the gender pay gap. 

• Engaging with diverse groups to understand their experiences and challenges. 

• Recommending policies to reduce pay gaps across all sectors, including government, business, and non-profit organisations. 

What causes the gender pay gap?  

The report found three main reasons why women in South Australia earn less than men: 

• Pay discrimination and undervaluing women’s work – Businesses often pay women less than men for doing the same or similar work. 

• Unpaid care responsibilities  – Women are expected to do more unpaid work, like caring for children or family members, making it harder for them to access paid work opportunities and career growth. 

• Gender segregation in jobs – Due to unfair gender stereotypes, women are often excluded from high paying jobs in industries that are male-dominated, such as manufacturing. At the same time, outdated ideas about ‘women’s work’ mean that sectors such as education and care work are undervalued and low-paid.  

Abbey Kendall, a Taskforce member and CEO of the Working Women’s Centre Australia, explained the impact:

The gender pay gap negatively affects women’s lives and the economy. Women in South Australia earn less, save less for retirement, and are less likely to be in leadership roles. Over time, this leads to more financial stress, housing instability, and poverty for women as they get older.— Abbey Kendall, CEO of the Working Women’s Centre Australia

 

 

Steps to Close the Gender Pay Gap 

The report recommends three key areas for action: 

1. Supporting Employers in South Australia 

• Creating online resources to help businesses measure and address gender pay gaps. 

• Launching a statewide awareness campaign on workplace gender equality. 

2.Improving Data and Research on Gender Inequality 

• Establishing an independent research centre focused on gender-based economic equality. 

• Enhancing data collection to better track progress in South Australia. 

3.Strengthening the Role of the Public Sector 

• With over 115,000 employees, the public sector is South Australia’s largest employer and has a critical role to play in setting the standard for gender equality. 

• Implementing gender impact assessments in policy-making. 

• Providing unconscious bias training for hiring managers. 

• Adopting gender-responsive procurement policies. 

Nikki Candy, Director of the Working Women’s Centre SA, emphasised the importance of the report: 

This report confirms what we see every day—women in South Australia continue to face gender pay discrimination. To close the gap, we need action at every level.

With almost two-thirds of the workforce in small and medium-sized businesses, there is a real opportunity for change. At the Working Women’s Centre, we’ll continue to support employers by providing training and practical tools to address their gender pay gaps. 

We will continue working towards a future where women receive equal pay and equal opportunities. — Nikki Candy, Director of the Working Women’s Centre SA

 

The Economic and Social Impact of Pay Inequality  

Research suggests that closing the gender pay gap could add $128 billion to the Australian economy. At a time when South Australia is facing critical skills shortages, failing to address this gap means missing a significant opportunity to drive economic growth. 

The gender pay gap is not just a matter of fairness—it impacts the entire community and has wide-ranging economic and social consequences. Closing the gap would improve women’s economic security and independence while also reducing financial abuse and long-term poverty among women. 

Our state has always been a world leader in gender equality and I want us to continue to lead the way in our shared efforts to close the gender pay gap, said Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

For more information on the Gender Pay Gap Taskforce final report, visit the Office for Women South Australia or contact the Working Women’s Centre for workplace legal advice  and training and resources on gender equality in the workplace. 

Abbey Kendall, the Director of the Working Women’s Centre SA, and Caitlin Feehan, lawyer with the Centre, travelled to Canberra on Wednesday (31) to represent the organisation at the Senate Inquiry held at Parliament House. Their purpose was to provide evidence concerning the Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023.

The passage of this bill would eliminate the financial risk for women who have experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination of having to pay the legal costs of their employer when pursuing their claims in the Federal Court. The current financial risk with taking these types of matters to Court is a known deterrent for women when considering whether to pursue their matters past unsuccessful conciliation. By this Bill being passed, it would provide certainty for women to pursue their matters without risking their long-term economic security.

Great work to all the organisations that attended the Senate Inquiry yesterday in support of this important proposed law reform!

Please click here to access the complete transcript of the Senate Inquiry on the Costs Protection Bill hearing.

The Working Women’s Centre is looking for HR Managers and employers to take part in the pilot version of our Young LGBTQIA+ Women & Non-Binary Workers Support program. The program has been designed in consultation with young SA LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary workers and aims to aid HR managers and other employees to foster safe and supportive workplaces for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary workers. The training will be provided free of cost, all we ask of you is to attend and provide feedback at the end.

The program will be delivered online, on the 21st of June, 9:30-12:30am ACST.

Click here to register.

Appointments will be held at the Legal Advice Clinic – City West Campus on:

• * Friday, 17 September

WHEN

03 Sep 2021
2pm – 5pm

EVENT TYPE

Workshop

WHERE

69 Grote Street, Adelaide SA

Details on how to register here

Accessibility: Please note that this venue is not wheelchair accessible, there are volunteers who can assist with accessing the venue if required, but only upon request.

We acknowledge that this event is on Kaurna land and we pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Do you need free, confidential legal & industrial advice about your rights at work?

Come along to our Feminist Action Session to help the Working Women’s Centre develop practical tools that can be used in workplaces.  

1 in 3 Australians have experienced sexual harassment at work, yet only 18% of victims report their experience (according to the Respect@Work Report 2020).  

The Working Women’s Centre SA has recently completed research that found that workplace posters are effective and engaging tools to highlight inappropriate behaviour and connect victims with support avenues. In the upcoming Feminist Action session, we will discuss ways in which we can combat sexual harassment in our workplaces and communities and support victims of sexual harassment. We’ll also share ideas for a meaningful poster for South Australian workplaces.  

In this session you will have the opportunity to share your ideas and discuss the topic with like-minded individuals. 

• Bring a laptop or phone if handy, and a willingness to contribute ideas and listen to others.
• Complimentary hot food and drinks will be provided.
• The venue is wheelchair accessible. The nearest disability access bathrooms are at the Adelaide Train Station.

CONTENT NOTE: This event will involve a discussion of workplace sexual violence.

WHEN

29 Jul 2021
5.30-7.00pm

EVENT TYPE

Workshop

WHERE

The Working Women’s Centre SA, Level 1 Station Arcade, 52 Hindley Street

ACCESSIBILITY

Wheelchair Accessibility

REGISTER HERE

We acknowledge that this event is on Kaurna land and we pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land, past and present . Sovereignty was never ceded.

The Working Women’s Centre in collaboration with Fair Go SA, will co-host an educational workshop on worker’s rights and the Fair Work Act.

This will be followed by a confidential (one to one) advice clinic for any workers who need free industrial advice about work.

Our workshop will cover topics including:

• Workplace bullying
• Discrimination
• Sham contracting
• Unfair Dismissal
• Parental Leave
• Workplace sexual harassment
• Responding to domestic violence at work
• Labour Exploitation

At the Confidential Industrial Advice Clinic you can:

• Speak to an Industrial Officer who has a background in Employment law & qualifications in law
• Ask questions
• Get information and personalised advice about your workplace issues.
• Book a further free appointment with the Working Women’s Centre Industrial Officers for a follow-up & further assistance.

WHEN:

23 Jul 2021
2pm – 5pm

EVENT TYPE

Workshop

WHERE

69 Grote Street, Adelaide SA

If you cannot register for this event via the We Chat QR code, please email to register: reception@wwc.org.au

Accessibility: Please note that this venue is not wheelchair accessible, there are volunteers who can assist with accessing the venue if required, but only upon request.

We acknowledge that this event is on Kaurna land and we pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the land, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.