In August every year, Australia recognises national ‘Equal Pay Day’ – but what does this mean, and why does the date change every year?
Equal Pay Day marks the point in the year that women’s average earnings catch up with men’s average earnings from the previous financial year. This year, that day is Monday 17 August which means that the average woman in Australia has to work an additional 48 days for her earnings to catch up to the average man. This is known as the gender pay gap, and it has a lot to do with who holds senior management roles and the industries and types of roles women work in.
The gender pay gap reflects:
Higher concentration of women in lower-paid industries
Historic undervaluation of work traditionally performed by women
Caring responsibilities and unrecognised labour of women outside their paid jobs, reducing working hours and opportunities for career progression.
The fight for Equal Pay continues
“Today it was me, tomorrow there will be two of us, the next day four and it will go on and on and there won’t be any stopping it”.
In 2026, the Gender Pay Gap is the smallest it’s ever been at 11.3%.
This means that on average, a woman has to work an additional 48 days to catch up with the average male wage.
So – how far have we come?
2025/24
2023
2022/21
2020
Average pay gap %
11.5%
12.%
14%
14%
Additonal days work to catch up
50
56
60
59
How our Union is making history
The Fair Work Commission’s landmark review of gender-based undervaluation review of the Health Professionals and Support Servies (HPSS) Award resulted in the decision that significant increases to the minimum rates are needed to address historical gender-based undervaluation. This decision marks a major shift in how your work is valued – addressing the gender pay gap and inequity for workers and the Union are proud to have played a central role in this case, with more than 15 members giving formal evidence and a number being cross-examined by employer groups.
This decision means that, are set to get wage increases of 16-31% to the minimum national rates of pay contained in the HPSS Award with wage increases will be phased in over four years starting 1 July 2026. This structured path provides a guaranteed upward trajectory for HPSS wages for the rest of the decade.
Read more about what this means for your wages here
