The report – titled Equal pay matters: Achieving gender pay equality in small to medium enterprises – shows that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Victoria have a limited understanding of gender pay equality, how it applies to them and what they can do to close the gender pay gap.

The report is based on recent research by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. As part of its research, the commission surveyed and interviewed more than 70 owners and managers of SMEs in the arts, financial services and healthcare or social assistance industries.

The report contains 10 recommendations SMEs can use to address barriers to pay equality. The Victorian Government will fund the commission to implement the first three recommendations, which involves developing resources and guidance on the concept of gender pay equality, how to achieve it and the benefits of workplace diversity for businesses. The resources will also help organisations understand their legal obligations to ensure equal pay.

Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows the national gender pay gap widened during the COVID‑19 pandemic to 14.2%, up from 13.4% last year.

Read the full media release on the Premier's website.