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Only 16% of Australians in Stem professions are women, and pay gap is ‘unacceptable’ Only 16% of Australians in Stem professions are women, and pay gap is ‘unacceptable’
(5 months later)
Related: Many women in Stem fields expect to quit within five years, survey finds
Women make up less than one-fifth of Australians qualified in science, technology, engineering and maths and continue to be paid less than their male colleagues.Women make up less than one-fifth of Australians qualified in science, technology, engineering and maths and continue to be paid less than their male colleagues.
It is a finding of a new report by the Office of the Chief Scientist, which shows 16% of the 2.3 million Stem-qualified Australians are female, with engineering showing the largest gender gap.It is a finding of a new report by the Office of the Chief Scientist, which shows 16% of the 2.3 million Stem-qualified Australians are female, with engineering showing the largest gender gap.
When it comes to pay, 32% of men hit the highest income bracket ($104,000), compared with 12% of women in the latest census.When it comes to pay, 32% of men hit the highest income bracket ($104,000), compared with 12% of women in the latest census.
The chief scientist, Alan Finkel, said that could not be explained by women having children or working part-time.The chief scientist, Alan Finkel, said that could not be explained by women having children or working part-time.
“The pay gap between men and women revealed in this report is significant, it is long-standing and it is unacceptable,” he said. “No clever country underserves half its people.”“The pay gap between men and women revealed in this report is significant, it is long-standing and it is unacceptable,” he said. “No clever country underserves half its people.”
The report, released on Thursday, found just 7% of engineers were women. However, there were almost the same number of male and female scientists.The report, released on Thursday, found just 7% of engineers were women. However, there were almost the same number of male and female scientists.
Related: Gender pay gap has roots in school years, when girls opt out of Stem subjects
Based on the most recent figures from the 2011 census, the report also found two-thirds of the Stem workforce earned qualifications through vocational education, with one-third university qualified.Based on the most recent figures from the 2011 census, the report also found two-thirds of the Stem workforce earned qualifications through vocational education, with one-third university qualified.
It shows Stem-qualified Australians work across a diverse range of industries.“We have people with physics doctorates working as financial analysts,” Finkel said. “We have chemistry graduates running farms and making wines. There are no limits on what a Stem graduate can do, and we shouldn’t impose them.”The federal government has earmarked almost $20m to encourage primary and high school students to focus on Stem subjects.It shows Stem-qualified Australians work across a diverse range of industries.“We have people with physics doctorates working as financial analysts,” Finkel said. “We have chemistry graduates running farms and making wines. There are no limits on what a Stem graduate can do, and we shouldn’t impose them.”The federal government has earmarked almost $20m to encourage primary and high school students to focus on Stem subjects.