Baseline report

Data as at March 2024

This report provides sources and reference points for each indicator and measure listed in the reporting framework of Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality. As a baseline, this is a point-in-time data and reference set on the status of gender equality in Australia at the time of the Strategy's release on 7 March 2024.

This report lists the data the Government will monitor to assess the impact of Working for Women and progress towards gender equality over the next 10 years. These data points have been selected in order to track progress against the ambitions of Working for Women and provide insight into the experiences of women and men in Australia. This baseline report will inform the mid-point review of Working for Women to be conducted in 2029.

Data sources used in this report are reported on different cycles from monthly through to every five years. Some data sources are updated on an ad hoc basis. The mid-point review will include the release of a mid-point update to the baseline to track change towards gender equality. Data measures and sources may also be added over time where more appropriate data sets emerge.

Where available, the data includes disaggregated data for First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, people of different ages, and LGBTIQA+ people. There are limitations to this data in some cases, particularly where there are small population or sample sizes. The Government will work to improve data to help inform better outcomes for all Australians.

In addition to this report and the mid-point review, the Government will continue to release Status of Women Report Cards annually, highlighting key statistics across the priority areas of Working for Women.

Where indicators are informed by targets from existing strategies, time frames and target levels have been included in this report. The remaining indicators outline directional goals, but are not targets with specific time frames.

Priority area 2. Unpaid and paid care: Balance unpaid work and close the gender pay gap

Outcome 2.1: The unpaid work and care gap between women and men narrows
Ref.	Indicator	Measure	Baseline (2024)
2.1.1	Average number of hours of unpaid work done each week for women and men	The difference in hours of unpaid work and care done by women and men each week on average	👁 View data Baseline (2024) Measure Priority area 2. Unpaid and paid care: Balance unpaid work and close the gender pay gap › Outcome 2.1: The unpaid work and care gap between women and men narrows › Indicator 2.1.1: Average number of hours of unpaid work done each week for women and men The difference in hours of unpaid work and care done by women and men each week on average Data In 2020-21, women did more than 9 hours a week more than men. 1 hour 19 minutes per day – approximately 9 hours and 13 minutes per week. Within demographic groups, the difference in unpaid work and care per week between women and men was highest for: People aged 25 to 44 years (14 hours) and lowest for people aged 15 to 24 years (3 hours). People living in inner regional Australia (12 hours) and lowest for people living in outer regional and remote Australia (5 hours). People born overseas (10 hours) compared to people born in Australia (9 hours). People not in the labour force (11 hours) and lowest for people employed full-time (3 hours). People with whose highest level of educational attainment is the certificate level (including Certificate I/II and Certificate III/IV) (13 hours) and lowest for people with graduate diploma/graduate certificate (1 hour). People in the lowest quintile of household income (15 hours) and lowest for people in the highest quintile of household income (4 hours). People in the lowest quintile of personal income (14 hours) and lowest for people in the highest quintile of personal income (3 hours). People in the second lowest quintile of relative socio-economic disadvantage (11 hours) and lowest for people in the second highest quintile of relative socio-economic disadvantage (8 hours). Parents in couple families with child under the age of 15 years (18 hours) and lowest for dependent children aged 15-24 years (1 hour). People with poor self-assessed health status (11 hours) and lowest for people with excellent self-assessed health status (7 hours). Data source How Australians Use Their Time, 2020-21 financial year \| Australian Bureau of Statistics Released every two years
2.1.2	Average number of hours of unpaid child care done each week for women and men	The difference in hours of unpaid child care done by women and men each week on average	👁 View data Baseline (2024) Measure Priority area 2. Unpaid and paid care: Balance unpaid work and close the gender pay gap › Outcome 2.1: The unpaid work and care gap between women and men narrows › Indicator 2.1.2: Average number of hours of unpaid child care done each week for women and men The difference in hours of unpaid child care done by women and men each week on average Data In 2020-21, female parents did around 8 hours and 45 minutes more unpaid child care per week more than male parents. 1 hour and 15 minutes more per day. Within demographic groups, of people who provided child care, the difference in care per week between women and men was highest for: People aged 25 to 34 years (13 hours) and lowest for people aged 65 years and over (0 hours). People living in inner regional Australia (13 hours) and lowest for people in major cities (7 hours). People born in Australia (8 hours) compared to people born overseas (7 hours). People who are unemployed (18 hours) compared to people who are employed full-time (3 hours). People whose highest level of educational attainment is the certificate level (10 hours) and lowest for people with diploma/advanced diploma (30 minutes). People in the lowest quintile of household income (17 hours) and lowest for people in the highest quintile (3 hours). People in the lowest quintile of personal income (13 hours) and lowest for people in the highest quintile (3 hours). People in the lowest quintile of relative socio-economic disadvantage (9 hours) and lowest for people in the third quintile (6 hours). People with good self-assessed health status (12 hours) and lowest for people with very good self-assessed health status (4 hours). Data source How Australians Use Their Time, 2020-21 financial year \| Australian Bureau of Statistics Released every two years

Baseline report

Priority area 2. Unpaid and paid care: Balance unpaid work and close the gender pay gap

Outcome 2.1: The unpaid work and care gap between women and men narrows