Western Australia’s community services sector is bearing the brunt of the State’s disappointing reputation of having the largest gender pay gap in the country, according to new data from the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) and the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing (CWSW).
The Gender Equity in the WA Community Services Sector Report, released today, has laid bare the impacts of significant occupational segregation in WA, where workers in traditionally female-dominated industries – such as the community services sector – are paid significantly less than workers in other, male-dominated industries.
It found that chronic underfunding of the community services sector was limiting the ability of organisations to offer workplace policies and entitlements which support economic security for women and reinforcing gender inequity.
The WA community services sector is one of the largest employers in the State, with 72,000 staff representing 5.1 per cent of WA’s workforce (excluding 111,000 volunteers). Of that, about 78 per cent identify as female.
However, community services sector wages and conditions are significantly lower than comparable sectors, including the public sector. Community service workers earn 17 per cent less than public servants. In WA, public servants are entitled to 14 weeks of paid parental leave, while most community services workers don’t receive any employer-funded parental leave.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said the report clearly demonstrates that chronic underfunding of a female-dominated community services sector prevents meaningful action to address the gender pay gap in WA.
“This has also led to inequity between government-funded community organisations and government agencies in policies and entitlements which progress gender equity.
“The State Government’s inaction on providing sustainable funding for existing services is effectively helping to reinforce gender segregation, as workers in female-dominant industries are being paid less.
“Chronic underfunding by both Federal and State Governments have resulted in wages and entitlements in the sector lagging far behind comparable roles in other industries with comparable skill and work requirements.”
CWSW Chief Executive Officer Alison Evans said when we fail to properly value the work of women, we fail the people and communities who rely on these important services.
“Historical and current funding arrangements have left too many organisations without the resources to provide decent pay, parental leave, or protections against harassment and violence. This report shows what needs to change.
“Gender equity is not an optional extra, it’s a core part of delivering quality community services. That means funding the real cost of service delivery.
“This research makes it clear that gender equity in the WA community services sector cannot be left to chance. We have a female-dominated workforce, yet women are still paid less, hold fewer senior roles, and too often lack access to the policies that enable economic security.
“Addressing these gaps is not just the right thing to do, it’s essential for the future of our workforce and the communities we serve.”
The report has made two key recommendations for Government to implement in effort to bridge the gender pay gap in the community services sector.
That includes appropriately resourcing organisations to implement workplace policies and supports that progress gender equity, and establishing a special grants program to fund gender equity initiatives across the community services sector.