Gender Equity Insights 2019: Breaking through the Glass Ceiling

Abstract

Glass ceilings have featured heavily in Australia’s workplaces for centuries but in recent years significant changes have been made.

Women now make up almost 50% of Australia’s workforce and hold around 40% of all full-time jobs.

Although women still remain under-represented in positions of power and over-represented in lower-paid jobs, this report shows they are likely to dominate middle management roles in years to come.

The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre has partnered with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to help improve gender equality throughout Australia’s workplaces.

This fourth report in the BCEC|WGEA Gender Equity Insights Series, provides insight into positive change that has been made across different sectors in recent years and highlights the importance of workplace policy initiatives in ensuring women continue to progress into senior positions and in narrowing the gender pay gap in Australia.

The findings showcase the crucial role flexible workplace policies, employer provided on-site child care and employer-funded paid parental leave has on achieving this positive change.