FEMALE barristers in Victoria have had enough of being the poor cousins of their male counterparts.

They are demanding Attorney-General Rob Hulls take action to boost their pay, which in some cases is just over a third of a male barrister's for the same work.

Kaye McNaught, Suzanne Kirton, Lindy Barrett, Fiona McLeod, SC, and Fran O'Brien, SC. Credit:Roger Cummins

In a submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into pay equity for women in the workforce, the Victorian bar's equal opportunity committee said there was "a consistent and significant discrepancy between the average brief fee earned by male and female members of counsel".

A woman briefed by a government department would receive on average 44 per cent of the fee paid to a male barrister, while a woman briefed in a litigation matter by a government department was likely to receive only 38 per cent of the male barrister's fee.