The Perth private school paying women 200 per cent more than men

An elite West Australian all boys’ school is paying women almost 200 per cent more than men, a gender pay gap much larger than any other school in Australia.

The inaugural gender pay gap report released on Tuesday by The Workplace Gender Equality Agency showed Trinity College in East Perth has a gap of 194 per cent in favour of women.

This figure is well above the next school on the list – a NSW school with a 71.6 per cent gap – and bucks the national trend which showed companies were on average paying men around 20 per cent more.

Only two other WA schools were in the top 20 list for biggest pay gaps, both in favour of women – Scotch College with a gap of just over 24 per cent and Wesley College with a gap of over 26 per cent.

On the other end of the scale, South Coast Baptist College had a gender pay gap of 44.6 per cent in favour of men.

The report has for the first time revealed the gender pay gaps of nearly 5000 private sector Australian businesses.

The Agency has said a negative pay gap of 5 per cent favoured women more than men, while a positive pay gap above 5 per cent favoured men more than women.

Anything in between was considered neutral.

The private schools are among the 8 per cent of the country’s large employers with pay gaps in favour of women.

Chief executive Mary Wooldridge said the move to publicise company-level gender pay gaps was a significant shift.

“Employers now have that public accountability for that performance,” she said.

“All employers should be aiming for a gender pay gap within +/-5 per cent. This range allows for normal business fluctuations and employee movements, while signifying that an employer has a focus on identifying and addressing inequalities and is taking action to ensure there is gender equality throughout an organisation.”

The pay gaps were calculated by annualising pay and do not include chief executive or partner pay.

Federal Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the publication of employer gender pay gaps was a pivotal moment for equality in Australia.

“The gender pay gap is a persistent and complex problem that costs the Australian economy $51.8 billion every year,” she said.

“Transparency and accountability are critical for driving change.”

Trinity College was contacted, but said its principal was unavailable to make comment.

with Rachel Clun

Read more

WA daycare fined thousands after child scratched, had ear and cheek bitten

Airbnb guests to be screened, subject to codes of conduct under South Perth proposal

The suburbs tipped to outperform Perth’s property market in 2024

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.