The report provides an annual update on the state of workplace gender equality in Australia. It features data and insights from the annual Employer Census of private sector employers with 100 or more employees. 

The information employers provided in 2023-24 relates to the year prior to the publishing of employer gender pay gaps for the first time in February 2024. As such, it reflects what employers were doing in anticipation of the implementation of the legislative change. 

Throughout 2023-24, the national focus on gender equality in Australia increased. In October 2023, the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce delivered “a 10-year plan to unleash the full capacity and contribution of women to the Australian economy”. In March 2024, the Government released Working for Women: A National Strategy for Gender Equality. Legislative reforms passed in March 2023 in the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 and associated Legislative Instruments, including publishing of employer gender pay gaps in Australia from 2024. All these developments have placed a spotlight on the actions of Australian employers in relation to improving gender equality in their workplaces. The intensified public focus correlates with an increase in employer understanding of, and action on, gender pay gaps. 

While there are still areas for improvement, this report highlights the impact of the focus and positive action on workplace gender equality in Australia. Employers are making notable progress, especially on analysis of and action to reduce their gender pay gap, employee consultation, parental leave and more comprehensive target setting to deliver results. These employer actions position Australia well for improvement in workplace gender equality in future years.