84 cents for every $1: why Indigenous workers earn less in Australia – and what to do about it
Across all jobs – from managers and professionals to labourers – a study found Indigenous workers earn an average of 15.9% less per hour than all workers.
Indigenous workers in Australia earn 15.9% less per hour than the average worker – or 84 cents for every $1 earned by non-Indigenous people. This equates to working almost two months of the year for free or losing more than all employer superannuation contributions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers earn about $15,040 less per year than all Australian workers.
The pay gap is particularly wide for Indigenous women, who face additional disadvantages compared to Indigenous men and non-Indigenous women. The largest pay gaps exist in higher-skilled occupations, particularly for professionals and managers. Five recommendations to close the pay gap include treating racism in the workplace like sexism, publicly reporting job and pay outcomes, recognizing cultural responsibilities, focusing on career progression and leadership, and making work and leave arrangements more flexible to accommodate Indigenous needs.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
