Kirstie McDermott uncovers the gender pay gap in Australia’s beauty industry and the new legislation driving change.
Australia isn’t an outlier when it comes to the gender pay gap, but right now, pay disparity is sitting at 13.3%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Globally, the average pay gap is 12%, according to OECD, and in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022, the gender pay gap was 9.2%, but pay gaps for Māori, Pacific and ethnic women are wider.
Jobs’ site Indeed reports that the average salary for a beautician is $31.81 per hour in Australia. Nail techs earn an average of $29.21 an hour, while hair stylists average $59,091 per year.
New figures from the ABS indicate that the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults was $1,808 as of November 2022. Within “other services”, which the ABS users to classify a range of personal care services, such as hair, beauty, diet and weight management, for example, women earn an average of $1,303.90––and men are paid $1,353.40 per week.
Tackling gender pay gaps
Those working in the beauty industry are already earning below the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults. That’s just one reason why it’s good news that the government is tackling gender pay disparity.
The 2012 Workplace Gender Equality Act, which required employers to submit pay information to the government, is already in place and the Australian Parliament has just passed new, updated legislation aimed at reducing gender pay disparities.
Starting in early 2024, the new Workplace Gender Equality Amendment Bill 2023 will publicise previously private company data and gender pay gaps will be published on the government website.
Employers will also have to report on sexual harassment and gender discrimination. “These reforms will improve transparency, accountability, and motivate action to accelerate progress on gender equality in workplaces,” the government says.
However, if you are looking for more money now, you’re not alone. Bjorn Jarvis, who is the head of labour statistics at ABS says that, “the recent annual increase in full-time average earnings of 3.4 per cent, or $59 per week, is the highest it has been since May 2020”, but for many workers, rising rents and the cost of living are outstripping any gains they may have made.
One solution is to seek another job where you’ll be able to negotiate a higher salary or hourly rate at the negotiation stage. Happily, the Professional Beauty Job Board contains hundreds of open roles at great companies, such as the three below.
Store Manager, The Body Shop International Limited, Tuggerah
As the Store Manager at The Body Shop’s Tuggerah location, you will be an inspirational leader with enthusiasm for the brand and will believe in the way the Body Shop does business. You will need to have beauty retail expertise that is second to none, and you will drive the store and the team to deliver retail excellence, strong sales results and engaging customer experience. To apply you’ll need experience in beauty retail and people leadership, and be able to control and meet sales and performance targets with outstanding planning and organising skills. Additionally, you should have experience of using data to make sound commercial and business decisions and be able to provide team coaching and development. Interested? Apply for this role here.
Nail Technicians/Beauticians, Blush Beauty & Skin Salons, QLD
Blush Beauty & Skin Salons is seeking experienced and qualified Nail Technicians or Beauticians to work in its Queensland locations. You should apply if you have experience in beautician services including waxing, tanning, lashes, manicures and pedicures. It’s essential to have a minimum of two years’ experience, and you should have a love of the beauty industry,and possess an outgoing, can-do attitude. If this sounds like the job for you, you can apply right here.
Cosmetic Nurse, Artisan Aesthetic Clinics, Hope Island
Artisan Aesthetic Clinics is looking for a Cosmetic Nurse (RN) who will align with its values and aspires to be part of the brand for the future ahead. As a client-centric business, Artisan’s focus is on providing real results for clients and supporting their skin health and wellness goals. To work here, you should be genuinely dedicated to supporting clients to look and feel their confident best. You’ll be willing to learn about all of the clinics’ offerings in order to conduct skin consultations and recommend bespoke treatment plans across multi-modalities. And you’ll thrive in a team environment where sharing expertise and developing skills is part of the everyday. See the full job description now.
For thousands more jobs in the beauty industry, visit the Professional Beauty Job Board today.
This article was produced in partnership with Jobbio.
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