The challenge still continues, though. We know that in around 95% of all occupations, women earn less than men, but this is some good news.
The ABS has released the May average earnings figures, which allows us to look at the gap in pay between men and women. The good news is that the gap is narrowing.
Fri 14 Aug 2026 16.17 AEST
Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi
The ABS has released the May average earnings figures, which allow us to look at the gap in pay between men and women.
The good news is that the gap is narrowing.
In May, men working full-time took home on average $2,285.90 (for an annual rate of $118,867) while women earned 14.1% less with $1,964.50 (or $102,1564).
That gap is down from 14.3% last year and 16.6% in May 2022.
The full-time “ordinary time” (i.e. excluding overtime) is lower (because women are less likely to get overtime) at 11.3%. That as well is a record low, and well below the 14.1% in May 2022.
The overall pay gap when including part-time is wider – because more women work part-time than do men. The total gap is 23.7% – the same as 12 months ago, but again well down from the 29.8% in May 2022:
The challenge still continues, though. We know that in around 95% of all occupations, women earn less than men, but this is some good news.
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