Pilot program to drive gender equality in Australian workplaces

The Albanese Government is supporting new ways to help make workplaces safer, more respectful and more equitable for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors, through a new tripartite pilot program.

Workplace and industry-level initiatives aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces will launch in 2025 through a $16.4 million grants program.

This program builds on the Government’s gender equality commitments, which place gender equality at the heart of the workplace relations system. 

The pilot program will identify actions that deliver tangible outcomes in gender segregated industries, especially in relation to safe and dignified amenities, flexible work and inclusive workplace cultures.  

The program supports the Government’s national strategy for gender equality, Working for Women, which commits to addressing industry and occupational segregation as a significant barrier to women’s economic equality.

The pilot will operate in a similar tripartite way to the Productivity, Education and Training (PET) Fund, which delivers support for employer representatives and unions to improve safety, fairness, and productivity in workplaces.

“While our positive changes to workers’ conditions and wages have seen the gender pay gap narrow to a record low, we know there’s still more to do to ensure women are valued equally in the workplace,” Minister Watt said.

“Women deserve to be safe, respected and valued at work, plain and simple. 

“We know workforce gender segregation contributes to the gender pay gap and increases the risk of workforce shortages. But we can help address this by making workplaces better for everyone, and encouraging more women to take up jobs in traditionally male-dominated fields.”

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said “we have made some really important reforms this term to make sure that women are getting a fair go at work, and are supported to work in non-traditional sectors knowing they will be safe and can advance in those careers.”

"This program supports workplaces to turn these reforms into meaningful practices that work for them and their employees.

“In line with Working for Women, the pilot will support industry and employers to identify practical steps, like upgrading bathroom facilities, that will help make women feel welcome and valued in traditionally male workplaces,” Minister Gallagher said.

Insights and feedback from the pilot will drive further improvements on gender equality in the workplace.

Applications will open in early 2025 for peak employer organisations and state and territory Trades and Labour Councils. These organisations were chosen as they are uniquely placed to understand the challenges and barriers experienced within particular industries, and to work with employers and industry to deliver fit-for-purpose customised solutions.

More information:
The workplace pilot builds on the Albanese Government has taken close the gender pay gap and improve workforce gender equity, including:

• Making gender equality an object of the Fair Work Act, and strengthening the ability of the Fair Work Commission to order pay rises for underpaid women workers.
• Committing to support wages increases, including $11.3 billion for aged care workers and $3.6 billion over two years for early childhood educators.
• The Government has also provided an initial submission to the Fair Work Commission’s historic gender undervaluation priority awards review, to ensure feminised work is being properly valued. The review is looking into gender undervaluation in five priority awards, which includes early childhood educators, in-home disability workers, and health professionals.
• Increasing transparency and accountability for closing the gender pay gap by publishing employer gender pay gaps, and in introducing legislation for a gender equality targets scheme for large employers with 500 or more employees.