A recent report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) underscores the profound impact of entrenched gender segregation on the country’s economy. The study, “New Perspectives on Old Problems: Gendered Jobs, Work and Pay,” reveals that persistent gender imbalances in Australia’s labor market are hampering productivity while exacerbating long-term income inequality, particularly affecting First Nations and migrant women. You can find detailed insights on this topic here.
The analysis shows a mere one-in-five Australian workers is employed in a gender-balanced occupation, with nearly 70 percent of roles remaining stubbornly gendered over the past 15 years. This imbalance extends beyond fairness, contributing to labor shortages and economic inefficiency. The Gender Segregation Intensity Scale (GSIS) introduced in the study quantifies this imbalance, linking deeper segregation with widening gender pay gaps.
Over a decade, women earned 30.7 percent less than men, a disparity that widened to 38.1 percent for First Nations women, marking the highest among all demographics. Alarmingly, males out-earned females in 98 percent of analyzed occupations, with over 100 roles showing a pay gap exceeding 25 percent.
The report further emphasizes intersectional inequities, indicating that systemic bias, racialized expectations, and life stage barriers disproportionately hinder First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women. Although CALD women contribute significantly to gender balance in high-skilled sectors such as medicine and IT, they continue to face underrepresentation in leadership roles.
Amidst growing scrutiny of gender and justice issues in Australia, this report coincides with other studies highlighting institutional disparities. The Australian Law Reform Commission published findings in March detailing the justice system’s shortcomings in addressing sexual violence, particularly against marginalized groups.
JSA warns that without deliberate action, workplace segregation and wage inequality will continue to impede Australia’s economic and social advancement, acting as a “handbrake” on progress. The slow improvement seen in some professions underscores the pressing need for intentional interventions to dismantle these systemic barriers.