THE gender pay gap in Australia is at its lowest on record, according to new data released today.

The data from the Australian government shows the national gender pay gap has fallen from 11.5 per cent to 11.3 per cent over the past six months, driven by wage gains for women in lower-paid work, including in the healthcare sector, off the back of key reforms to end the historic practice of undervaluing the work in female-dominated occupations.

From early 2026, significant pay increases began being phased in for occupations with a majority-women workforce, including dental assistants, pathology collectors and other health professionals.

This follows the significant increases won by unions for aged care workers and early childhood education and care workers.

But Australian Congress of Trade Unions President Michele O’Neil said: “At this rate of progress, a girl born today could expect the gender pay gap to be eliminated by the time she is 16 years old and perhaps looking for her first job.”

Ms O’Neil added: “This is happening because new gender equity laws and record pay rises for workers in undervalued sectors won by unions are having an impact — and not before time.”