FWC reviews potential gender undervaluation in five awards
The Australian government is requesting a "measured and responsible" wage increase that will arise from the Fair Work Commission's (FWC) review of the undervaluation of wages in feminised industries.
The FWC's review will look into the gender undervaluation in five priority awards, including early childhood educators, in-home disability workers, and health professionals.
In its initial submission, the government said it supports the FWC's review process and the task for identifying and addressing gender undervaluation in the modern awards system.
"However, the Commonwealth's position is that any wage increases arising from the gender-based undervaluation identified by the Commission should be implemented in a measured and responsible manner that manages workforce, fiscal, and macroeconomic risks," the submission read.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the government made the submission to "support this important process to address historic gender undervaluation in modern awards."
"The Albanese Government is supporting women to earn more and keep more of what they earn – we want to properly value women's work and accelerate progress to close the gender pay gap, now at a record low of 11.5%," Gallagher said in a statement.
"Closing the gender pay gap and supporting workers to receive fair pay is important for women, families, and the community."
FWC's gender undervaluation review
The FWC's review was first announced earlier this year at the Annual Wage Review 2023-24 decision, where it said it would look into five awards to determine if they have been the subject of gender undervaluation.
The five awards subject to review include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020
- Children's Services Award 2010
- Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 – AM2024/20
- Pharmacy Industry Award 2020
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010
"We intend that they will be completed by the time of next year's Review, which will then move on to the consideration of other gender undervaluation issues," the FWC previously said.
