Addressing gender inequality issues in Australia: An annual review of developments

Abstract

Addressing issues of gender inequality is ongoing and important in the context of broader employment relations at work. Scholars within the Australian industrial relations community work toward the continuance of research and analysis that highlights the perennial issues impacting women in the labor market, to address historical and systemic barriers and identified inequalities. This article provides a review of the major developments and activities undertaken toward addressing gender inequality based on recent changes to industrial relations legislation. The article focuses on the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and the amendments made via the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) 2023 Bill. The Fair Work Act 2009 amendments via the Secure Jobs, Better Pay 2022 and Closing Loopholes 2023 are also discussed. This article reviews these recent changes in answer to this special issue's call for a review of the key issues and developments made toward addressing gender inequality, useful for both academics and practitioners of employment relations.