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Introduction
The Gender Economic Equality Study examines the gendered nature of the world of work and education, skills and training. For example, how workforce participation, education choices, career progression and pay gaps are gendered, and how we can offer public policy solutions.
Two key challenges are highlighted:
- How education choices, divides and outcomes are shaped by gender.
- How these intersect with the gender make-up of jobs and industries across Australia.
The study uses an intersectional approach to consider how factors like cultural identity, First Nations status, geography, disability and caregiving responsibilities amongst others interact with gender, to create unique experiences of privilege, disadvantage and discrimination.
By addressing these overlapping challenges, JSA aims to present evidence to assist with the development of policies that reflect the real-world experiences of Australia’s diverse labour market.
JSA will publish one more paper later in the year.
Paper 1 - New Perspectives on Old Problems - Gendered Jobs, Work and Pay
Paper 1 is the first of 3 publications for the study which introduces the Gender Segregation Intensity Scale and new detailed occupational and intersectional gender pay gap data. It sheds light on how gender shapes Australia’s labour market across more than 600 occupations. This paper fills key evidence gaps and marks a step forward in understanding how gendered Australia’s jobs, work and pay are in Australia and what we need to do to fix it.
In addition to the paper, you can explore changing levels of occupational gender segregation over time and across different cohorts of workers including First Nations and CALD workers in the JSA Gender Segregation Intensity Scale Occupational Dashboard. You can explore the gender pay gaps in over 680 occupations in this Occupational Gender Pay Gap dashboard.
Gender Economic Equality Study Paper 1 - Executive Summary.pdf
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_1_-_executive_summary.pdf1501921
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 1 - Executive Summary.docx
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DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 1.pdf
Gender Economic Equality Study Paper 1.pdf30582114
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 1.docx
Gender Economic Equality Study Paper 1.docx17626454
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 1 - Technical Report.pdf
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_1_-_technical_report.pdf738340
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 1 - Technical Report.docx
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_1_-_technical_report.docx941989
DownloadPaper 2 - Education and training divides - Gendered skills, pathways and outcomes
Paper 2, Education and training divides - Gendered skills, pathways and outcomes, is the second in JSA’s Gender Economic Equality Study. It shows that gendered patterns in education and training remain deeply entrenched, with little sign of change that could shift Australia’s occupational gender segregation.
Findings tell us that only one in five fields of education see similar numbers of men and women completing programs and graduating studies. These divides strongly influence the occupations and career paths people later pursue.
For many more insights, download the full report and explore the Intersectional VET outcomes dashboards across the top 100 VET qualifications. You can see outcomes by gender, cohort (First Nations, CALD and people with disability) as well as outcomes by gender across the life course for different age groups.
Gender Economic Equality Study Paper 2 - Executive Summary.pdf
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2_-_executive_summary.pdf1678420
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 2 - Executive Summary.docx
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2_-_executive_summary.docx3749308
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 2.pdf
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2.pdf3426211
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 2.docx
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2.docx8270296
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 2 - Technical Report.pdf
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2_-_technical_report.pdf695588
DownloadGender Economic Equality Study Paper 2 - Technical Report.docx
gender_economic_equality_study_paper_2_-_technical_report.docx2781175
DownloadGender Framework
The Gender Framework is an agency driven labour market and skills framework to embed and build capability in gendered and intersectional analysis across JSA.
This first iteration has been developed through collaboration and consultation across JSA’s tripartite stakeholders. It’s an evolving document open to feedback as the study progresses.
The framework is like other Government guides such as gender responsive budgeting and policy impact assessment guides that mandate a more focused gender analysis and offer best practice advice.
Analysing labour market and skills systems through gendered and intersectional lenses has now been established at both the macroeconomic and microeconomic level. It is beneficial for developing effective evidence-based policy and making faster progress towards gender economic equality.
The five guiding principals
The framework is guided by five principles with priority projects to ensure practical implementation.
- Interrogate and reform data.
- Embed intersectionality.
- Collaborate and co-design.
- Develop insight and indicators.
- Innovate and lead by example.
Placemat
A one-page guide to embedding a more inclusive approach to workforce data and decision-making.
Consultation
Jobs and Skills Australia released the Gender Economic Equality Study Consultation Paper on 18 February 2025, inviting stakeholders to comment and share their diverse views.
For further information about the consultation, visit the Gender Economic Equality Study Consultation page.
Terms of Reference
Contact
For questions or assistance, email: GenderStudy@jobsandskills.gov.au.