The WGEA Review proposes targeted changes to the Workplace Gender Equality Act and its associated legislative instruments to accelerate the pace of change in reducing Australia’s gender pay gap, improving gender equality in Australia workplaces, and increasing employer accountability for workplace gender equality. This review also proposes changes to reduce the regulatory reporting burden for employers while continuing to ensure quality gender data is provided to WGEA.

A staged approach to implementation has been suggested in some recommendations. The intent is to support employers adjust to any new standards flowing from the report. A review five years after the commencement of any legislative amendments flowing from this WGEA Review will assess the effectiveness of reforms and provide an opportunity to course correct if needed.

As discussed in ‘Strengthen compliance and enforcement’ a future review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act will be a good opportunity to assess whether to introduce stronger enforcement powers.

Annual progress on driving gender equality in Australian workplaces is reported in WGEA’s Gender Equality Scorecard (https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/australias-gender-equality-scorecard#download-2020-scorecard). In advance of the proposed five-year review, the WGEA Scorecard will show progress on gender equality in workplaces.

Recommendation 10 – review the Workplace Gender Equality Act in five years from the date any legislative changes commence

10.1 Formally review the effectiveness of action flowing from this WGEA Review five years from the commencement of any legislative reform. This timeframe will give employers an opportunity to adapt to the changes and accelerate progress on gender equality in their workplaces.