How the gender pay gap in Australia continues to impact the workforce
Most of us agree that men and women should earn the same.
However, while some progress has been made, the gender pay gap remains a significant issue in Australia.
On average, men earn $18,000 more per year than women — adding up to around $1 million more over the course of a career.
According to the New Perspectives on Old Problems: Gendered Jobs, Work and Pay survey, men out-earn women in 98% of the occupations listed in a national survey.
The report found that gender segregation in many industries is a major driver of this gap.
Male-dominated industries often offer higher wages. This means the more segregated a workforce is, the larger the pay gap tends to be.
So what impact do the gender pay gap and gender segregation have — and what can be done to address them?
What is the issue?
The distribution of men and women across most occupations has barely shifted in the past 15 years.
Only one in five Australians work in a gender-balanced job. This is defined as a role where no more than 60% of the workforce is the same gender.
What is the impact of this?
A lack of gender balance contributes to skills shortages in many industries.
Research shows that as the level of gender segregation increases, so too does the risk of skill shortages.
For example, Australia’s construction industry is one of the country’s most male-dominated sectors. It is currently experiencing severe shortages of qualified workers.
Female-dominated industries such as aged care and early childhood education are also struggling to attract and retain staff. This places additional pressure on service delivery.
What can be done?
Challenging stereotypes will go a long way towards fixing this issue.
From an early age, many students are guided into certain career choices based on gender. This can be both conscious and unconscious.
For example, girls are often encouraged to pursue caring professions such as teaching and nursing.
Boys, on the other hand, are steered towards physically demanding jobs such as the trades.
Women are also more likely to take on the majority of caring responsibilities for children, which can limit their career opportunities and earning potential.
Therefore, men should be encouraged to take on more responsibility for child care.
Workplaces should also support men who wish to take parental leave, helping to normalise shared caring roles.
Hope for the future
There are signs of positive change.
Some roles — such as paramedics, dentists and barristers — have shifted from male-dominated to gender-balanced in recent years.
Improved gender balance has also been seen in high-level professional fields such as health, IT and accounting.
Government incentives, increased workplace flexibility in Australia, and targeted recruitment campaigns are starting to have an impact, but more work is needed.
Taking the next step
As more industries move towards gender balance, new opportunities are opening up for people willing to step into non-traditional roles.
This can lead to better pay, broader career options, and the chance to work in sectors that are crying out for skilled staff.
If you’re considering a career change — whether to boost your earning potential, follow a passion, or take advantage of these emerging opportunities — a strong application is essential.
Melbourne Resume Writers can help you showcase your skills and experience in a way that captures the attention of employers across any industry.
We offer professional resume writing, selection criteria responses, and tailored career support services to help you take the next step with confidence.
Article References
Australian Government (n.d) ‘New perspectives on old problems: Gendered jobs, work and pay’, Australian Government, accessed 11 August 2025.
Hare, J (7 August 2025) ‘Jobs where the gender balance is getting better (or worse)’, Financial Review, accessed 11 August 2025.
Public Service Resumes (n.d) ‘The gender pay gap: What causes it and how do we address it?’, Public Service Resumes, accessed 11 August 2025.