The Andrews Labor Government has released the most comprehensive data on Victoria’s public sector pay gap.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced that the gender pay gap in the Victorian Public Sector is 12 per cent, as outlined in the State of the Public Sector Report released today.

The report shows that the Gender Pay Gap exists because of the distribution of Victorian women working in traditionally female-dominated areas including junior clerical roles, education aids, nurses, teachers and welfare support workers.

This comes off the back of recent community wide studies that shows women are under-represented in senior roles, suffer most from a lack of workplace flexibility and carry a disproportionate share of unpaid caring and domestic work.

At 12 per cent, the gender pay gap in Victoria’s public sector is lower than the 17 per cent recorded in the broader Australian community.

The Labor Government is tackling the gender pay gap through a raft of reforms outlined in Safe and Strong – Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy, its industrial relations policies and departmental actions including a policy that all roles are flexible.

A pilot of gender auditing is also currently underway that will provide objective, measurable evidence on performance and progress across several gender equity indicators including pay equity, recruitment and promotion, and flexible working arrangements.

This work is being aided by the Equal Workplaces Advisory Council which was established by the Government last year.

The Labor Government is also reducing the gender pay gap through its policy of gender equality on paid government boards, which was achieved last year.

The Women@Work conference on 21 March will also assist Victorian businesses to reduce the gender pay gap.

The conference will bring together bright, influential Victorians to champion gender equity and equal pay, as well as providing practical advice, particularly around family violence leave, flexible work, and workplace respect.

To view to the State of the Public Sector Report, visit www.vpsc.vic.gov.au/sopsiv/

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins

“Every Victorian deserves a fair workplace and that’s why we’re determined to reduce the gender gap in workforce participation and pay.”

“Through Safe and Strong, we are driving landmark gender equality reforms to set a new standard in Victorian Government workplaces.”