This paper is the third in a three-part series on gender economic inequality examining the gendered nature of work, pay, jobs and education, skills and training in Australia. The paper outlines 10 key next steps to address the deep-rooted policy challenges within the jobs and skills system based on new evidence and the findings in Paper 1: New perspectives on old problems: gendered jobs work and pay and Paper 2: Education and training divides: gendered skills, pathways and outcomes.

The paper calls for earlier intervention in education, targeted action on occupational segregation and new reforms in Vocational Education and Training (VET), including a three-year ‘Shifting the Dial on Gender Segregation’ agenda and a ‘First Nations Women’s Economic Equality Plan’. The 10 recommendations include policy actions. 

The paper is accompanied by a dashboard which includes more detailed gender pay gap data across occupations for various demographic cohorts including First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, and migrant cohorts.

Recommendations

1. Implement a three year Shifting the Dial on Gender Segregation Policy Action and Evaluation Agenda.
2. All Australian governments consider how to intervene earlier in education and training study choices.
3. All Australian governments scale occupational gender segregation interventions across future National Skills Agreements and outcomes reporting.
4. All Australian governments and lead skills system actors coordinate a national and economy-wide approach to gender segregated VET training pathways for occupations in shortage.
5. All Australian governments and lead skills system actors complement current Closing the Gap reforms with additional and immediate national and economy-wide action for First Nations women.
6. Industry and employers to accelerate progress on inclusive and safe workplaces and training settings.
7. Extend policy settings and supports to normalise men's involvement in unpaid care, domestic work and paid care work.
8. Government and others adopt the Gender Segregation Intensity Scale as a common and shared framework for informing action and monitoring progress towards gender economic equality.
9. Further address gender and other biases in labour market and skills frameworks that reflect gendered language, structure and norms.
10. Expanded research, data and reporting to monitor progress on gender economic equality and increase intersectional perspectives and understanding.