Gender pay gap greatest among Australian managers

Women in management experience the greatest hourly pay gap, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.

The Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours released today showed the difference between average hourly earnings for men and women in management roles in May 2023 was $14.10 per hour, ABS head of labour statistics, Bjorn Jarvis said. In percentage terms, that represents a 19 percent difference.

While the gap was starkest at the top level, men continued to earn more per hour across all eight major occupation groups, the statistics revealed, with the smallest gap among sales workers at 7 percent.

In terms of weekly earnings, men earned an average of $1,731 and women $1,261. The average pay for all employees was $1,490 in May 2023.

“Analysing the difference between male and female earnings is complex and there is no single measure that can provide a complete picture,” Mr Jarvis said. “Hourly earnings comparisons are particularly useful in understanding gender pay differences beyond weekly earnings measures, given women are more likely to work part-time than men.”

For part time workers, where women make up the majority at 69 percent of employees, women earn more on average at $817 compared with $759 for men.

“This reflects the greater use of part-time working arrangements by women in higher paying jobs, compared to men,” Mr Jarvis says.

Across the employment sector, distributional data showed that the top 25 percent of workers earned more than $1,956 per week in May 2023 while the lowest 25 percent earned less than $785. On an hourly basis, managers came out on top at $67.20 per hour, followed by professionals at $60.60, followed by labourers ($32.20) and sales workers ($30.90).

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to implement a national-level cryptocurrency payment system for tourism, marking a major milestone in digital innovation and travel.

Launched in partnership with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank, the system enables travellers with Binance accounts to enjoy a seamless, end-to-end crypto-powered journey. More than 100 local merchants, from hotels and tour operators to small roadside vendors in remote villages, are already live on the system.

“This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan.

“It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

Using supported cryptocurrencies, tourists can now pay for nearly every part of their trip, including airline tickets, visas, the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel stays, monument entry fees, local guides, and shopping, all through secure static and dynamic QR code payments.

Binance CEO Richard Teng praised the move, saying: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

Known as the “Kingdom of Happiness,” Bhutan has long prioritised Gross National Happiness over GDP, with a strong focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. The new system aligns with these values by reducing payment friction and bringing financial inclusion to local communities.

Among the key features of the system:

Seamless Experience: Tourists can pay with crypto for all travel-related expenses.
Inclusive Reach: Small vendors, even in remote areas, can accept QR code payments.
Lower Fees: Transactions cost significantly less than traditional payment methods.
Comprehensive Support: More than 100 cryptocurrencies supported, including BNB, BTC, and USDC.
Secure and Instant: Real-time confirmations, 2FA, and encrypted transactions via the Binance app.

Behind the local settlement mechanism is DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, it aims to deliver accessible financial services to all, including marginalised and unbanked communities.

The launch is being hailed as a bold step forward in integrating digital finance with global tourism — one that could set the benchmark for other nations looking to modernise the travel experience while empowering their local economies.

Gender pay gap greatest among Australian managers

Detailed earnings information released by the ABS today reveal a clearer picture of the differences between men and women’s pay packets

Bhutan is pioneering a new frontier in travel by allowing tourists to pay for flights, visas, hotels and even fruit stalls using cryptocurrency via Binance Pay.