Why Closing the Gender Pay Gap Matters for Australian Women and How It Impacts Your Finances

By Molly Benjamin, Founder of Ladies Finance Club

Some people tell me that Ladies Finance Club is a bit sexist because it focuses solely on women. My response? I can’t wait for the day when Ladies Finance Club can just be The Finance Club, but for now, the reality is women still live longer and earn less. Until that changes, we need dedicated spaces to help women build financial security, confidence, and wealth.

The Gender Pay Gap in Australia 2025: Where Do Women Stand?

While the gender pay gap in Australia has improved, women are still earning 12% less than men based on full-time weekly earnings. That’s $238 less per week, meaning women need to work an extra 44 days a year to earn the same as men.

But when you factor in bonuses, overtime, and superannuation, the real gender pay gap jumps to 19%, that’s $18,461 per year less in earnings for women. (Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency, WGEA)

How Does the Gender Pay Gap Affect Women’s Superannuation?

The pay gap doesn’t just impact weekly wages, it snowballs over a lifetime. Women retire with 25.1% less superannuation than men, around $53,190 less (Source: Prime Minister’s Office).

Why Women Retire With Less Super:

✅ Women live longer but earn less, leading to lower super contributions
✅ Women are more likely to work part-time (43.3% of women vs 19.5% of men)
✅ Mums do 1 hour and 15 minutes more unpaid childcare per day than dads
✅ Women take more career breaks due to caring responsibilities

📊 34% of retired women rely on their partner’s income, compared to just 7% of retired men
📊 The super gap for women aged 60-64 is 25.1%, that’s a huge disadvantage in retirement

What Can Women Do to Close Their Personal Pay and Super Gap?

Women need to take action early to boost their earnings and super balance. Here’s how:

1. Negotiate Your Salary Like a Pro

Most women don’t ask for a raise, but they should! If you’re unsure where to start, our Salary Negotiation Workshop teaches women how to ask for a pay rise and get paid what they deserve.

2. Check Your Superannuation Fees and Contributions

✅ Consolidate lost super to avoid unnecessary fees
✅ Compare super funds and switch to a high-performing fund
✅ Take advantage of spouse contributions and government co-contributions
✅ Consider salary sacrificing into super for tax benefits

3. Start Investing to Build Long-Term Wealth

Women tend to save but don’t invest as much as men, leading to lost opportunities. If you’re not sure where to begin, our Investing for Women Workshop covers everything from ETFs to property investing.

Why Companies Need to Care About the Gender Pay Gap

💰 Financial stress costs Australian workplaces $30.9 billion per year in lost productivity
💼 Women facing workplace harassment are 26% more likely to experience career setbacks
📉 54.2% of jobs are still in male or female-dominated industries, keeping pay gaps in place

Businesses that support women’s financial wellbeing see higher productivity, better retention, and a more engaged workforce. That’s why Ladies Finance Club partners with companies like Google to run workshops on key financial topics, including:

✅ Money Makeover – Budgeting, super, debt, and investing
✅ Superannuation 101 – How to boost your retirement savings
✅ Salary Negotiation – How to ask for a raise and increase your earnings
✅ Investing for Women – Shares, ETFs, and property investing
✅ Women’s Confidence & Money Mindset – Breaking financial fears and building wealth

How We Can Close the Gender Pay Gap for Good

As Minister for Women Katy Gallagher says:
"Closing the gender pay gap means women are taking home more money at the end of each week. This is good for women, good for men, good for kids, good for the economy, and good for the community."

To create real change, we need to:

✅ Make pay transparent – Employers should publish salary bands so women know what they should be earning
✅ Improve financial education at work – Workplaces should offer workshops on superannuation, investing, and salary negotiation
✅ Support working parents – Equal paid parental leave, flexible work options, and affordable childcare help women stay in higher-paid roles
✅ Encourage women to negotiate – Women need the skills and confidence to ask for pay rises and promotions

Let’s Close the Gender Pay Gap for Good

The gender pay gap has improved, but there’s still a long way to go. Women are still paid less, do more unpaid work, and retire with significantly less super.

At Ladies Finance Club, we help women take control of their money, negotiate better pay, and grow wealth through education and financial empowerment.

Want to close your personal pay gap? Join one of our workshops or corporate programs today and start building your financial future!