The pay difference between women and men is greatest in Western Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show.

There’s a $483.80 per week gap between full-time, seasonally adjusted earnings of men and women in resources-rich WA, where both genders earn the nation’s highest wages.

The next worst state for the gender pay gap is New South Wales, with a $316.60 per week difference.

Pay is fairest in South Australia, which has a gap of only $151.20. And while Tasmanian women pocket the nation’s most modest weekly sum at $1,187.30, the gender difference is only $159.60.

Unions WA secretary Meredith Hammat said it was inequitable and wrong that WA women earned 25% less than men.

“When women take on caring roles, the pay gap can be entrenched for the rest of their lives, including into retirement through lower superannuation,” Hammat said.

“This means women are more likely to be financially insecure. Women are more likely than men to have to meet family costs of living that are already high in WA.”

She called on governments and employers to do more to support women in the workforce and assist with the costs of caring.

“Stronger measures are needed to address pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, whether it’s losing permanency after returning from maternity leave or employers refusing requests to work flexible hours.”

The gender pay gap

Australia

Men: $1,591.60

Women: $1,309.30

The gap: $282.30

New South Wales



Men: $1,638.40

Women: $1,321.80

The gap: $316.60

Victoria

Men: $1,474.30

Women: $1,273.10

The gap: $201.20

Queensland

Men: $1,552.60

Women: $1,273.40

The gap: $279.20

South Australia

Men: $1,401.20

Women: $1,250

The gap: $151.20

Western Australia

Men: $1,857.60

Women: $1,373.80

The gap: $483.80

Tasmania

Men: $1,346.90

Women: $1,187.30

The gap: $159.60

Northern Territory

Men: $1,639.80

Women: $1,343.80

The gap: $296