Statistics:

• WGEA data shows that the gender pay gap is 2.5% for employees under 24 years old, and it increases at a constant rate before peaking at over 30%, an earnings difference of over $40,000 per year, for employees ages 45-64.

From the WGEA (Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Aus. Gov.)

Some studies find that if workers grow older there is an increasing gap between productivity and wages, i.e. wages increase with age while productivity does not or does not increase at the same pace. However, other studies find no evidence of such an age-related pay-productivity gap.

Senior citizens get pensions when they retire

Australian Capital Territory (ACT), earns the Highest Median Total Income of $71,093. Compared to the Highest Median Total Income of Migrants in ACT of $45,351. Therefore, it is evident that migrants earn less than the overal population.

There are many factors in which Cultural Background affects Wage Outcomes such as:

1. Perceptions and Sterotypes: can influence how individuals are perceived in the workforce. Stereotypes can be related to ethniticty, nationality or language proficiency which affect hiring decisions, promotions and salary negotiations.

2. Language: Language barriers may cause individuals to be denied access to certain work opportunities, leading to lower wages.

3. Social networks: Individuals with strong cultural networks may have an advantage in accessing job opportunities and negotiating salaries.

4. Workplace Culture and Adaptation: Cultural adaptation may affect job performance and satisfaction. Challenges that may occur in cultural adjustment may be e.g. communicaiton norms, teamwork styles; these may impact the productivity, and thus wages that the individual is able to earn.

5. Bias and discrimination: unconscious biases can lead to discriminatory practices, where employers may unknowingly favour certain cultural backgrounds over others. Discrimination can manifest in pay disparities, unequal access to promotions, and limited career growth.

Minimum wages for award/agreement free workers aged under 21 are worked out as a percentage of the national minimum. If you are:

• Under 16, you should get 36.8%, or $8.55 an hour.

• Aged 16, you should get 47.3%, or $10.98 an hour.

• Aged 17, you should get 57.8%, or $13.42 an hour.

• Aged 18, you should get 68.3%, or $15.87 an hour.

• Aged 19, you should get 82.5%, or $19.16 an hour.

• Aged 20, you should get 97.7%,or $22.70 an hour.

For example, younger employees get paid the minimum wage in McDonalds. Thus, Mcdonalds would rather hire younger employers (under 16) since it is cheaper ($8.55 an hour)if the productivity is the same.

The average wage increases with the age of the employees:

20 years and under: $949.90 per week ($49,394.80 annually)

21-34 years old: $1,679.70 per week ($87,344.40 annually) 35-44 years old: $2,167.50 per week ($112,710 annually)

45-54 years old: $2,234.80 per week ($116,209.60 annually)

• Skills are less-common, in higher demand, harder to attain (uni, more study, etc)

• E.g. Industries: health (surgeons, doctors, etc.), legal, professionals

Lower skilled job = lower income

• Skills are more common, in less demand, easy to attain

• E.g. fishing/agriculture, maintenance/repair, janitorial

Minimum wage for young workers are calculated as a percentage of the national minimum wage.

factors such as working conditions, clientele, and training requirements within different occupational groups allowing for differences in wage.

Previous cross-sectional studies suggest that cultural diversity increases employment and wages at the regional level, thereby leading to economic growth.

Culturally diverse women are paid less

• they spend 8 years longer in middle management roles

• ethnic gender pay gap (36%) is double the national average gender pay gap (14%).

• The gender pay gap exists because previously there were no laws/regulations that mandated equal pay. However, in Australia, this has been a legal requirement since 1969.

• Women's work were and is undervalued.

• Additionally gender roles and expectations have changed overtime. Previously the majority of women roles consisted of child care bearing/caring responsibilities. Thus, women tended to work less and opportunities were limited.