State makes progress on pay gap, superannuation
The gender pay gap in Queensland narrowed to 13.4% in 2023, according to the state's 2023 Gender Equality Report Cards.
This means that in the past year, women earned an average of $1,637.80 for a full-time working week, compared to the $1,891.10 earned by men in the same period.
The data indicated the continued descent of Queensland's pay gap, after it narrowed to 15.6% in 2022, down from the previous 15.8% in 2021.
"Inequality persists, but the Miles Government is making ground on closing the economic gaps between men and women," said Shannon Fentiman, Queensland's Minister for Health and Minister for Women, in a statement.
The Queensland government also noted progress when it comes to superannuation gaps but noted that women across all ages still had lower superannuation balances than men.
Those aged between 60 and 64 years had the largest gap, according to the report, with an average superannuation account balance of $302,635 for females, down from the 376,603 for men.
Women are also more likely to be in casual employment, according to the report. It found that 25.5% of women employees are in casual employment, higher than the 21.5% of men.
Women also continue to be over-represented as clerical and administrative workers, representing 76.3% of the workforce.
They remain under-represented, however, in roles such as machinery operators and drivers (11.6%) and technicians and trade workers (16.1%)
Source: Queensland equality report cards 2023 - in brief
Fentiman said the latest report card shows the government's commitment to a safer and more prosperous future for women and girls.
"But let's be clear – there is still a lot to be done," Fentiman said. "That's why we're strengthening our laws to better protect women and hold perpetrators to account."
According to the minister, the government is further investing on programmes that empower and support women to upskill, reskill, and take on leadership roles.
"More than half of the 66,300 Queenslanders that have commenced Free TAFE are female," she said. "And we will continue to encourage more women into industries such as manufacturing, energy, and STEM."
The 2023 Gender Equality Report Cards shows the status of Queensland's women across various sectors, including employment, leadership, as well as safety, health, and wellbeing.
It was released last week alongside the Annual Queensland Women's Statement 2024, which outlines that government's achievements and next steps in gender equality.
