First Nations women have the largest gender pay gap in Australia, according to new workforce data released today.
First Nations women earn on average 35% less than average Australian male workers, the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) report found.
The pay gap for First Nations women was also almost 10 percentage points greater than for females generally, the New perspectives on old problems revealed.
On average for every dollar earned by male Australian workers, First Nations women only earn 65 cents, said co-researcher Professor Nareen Young, Director of the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Indigenous People and Work.
“The pay gap is a productivity issue for all women and families, but for First Nations women it’s a ‘closing the gap’ issue as well. We will not close the gap until we have overcome the gendered pay gap for First Nations women.”
The 35% pay gap had a cascading effect on all other elements of social and economic wellbeing, said Professor Young.
“It impacts on the ability of First Nations women to access decent housing, provide for their children’s education and give their families the best start in life.
“More broadly, the gender pay gap is a major barrier to economic independence and self- determination for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples,” she said.
The gender pay gap had its roots in history. Today the concentrated job roles available to First Nations women help perpetuate the gap, she said.
“The forced labour, stolen wages and indentured work for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia’s recent history is linked to their culturally specific skills in Aboriginal communities being undervalued when it comes to wages.
“The research found that just over half (53%) of First Nations workers were in moderately, highly or almost completely female dominated occupations, compared to just under a third (31%) of the total workforce. And we know that female dominated occupations often pay less than male dominated occupations.”
Despite the data, First Nations women across Australia were successfully closing the gendered pay gap.
“Increasingly, our women are breaking through the glass ceilings into commercial leadership, working in non-traditional roles or starting their own businesses. But unless there is continued momentum from governments and employers, these women will remain exceptions rather than the rule,” said Professor Young.
