WGEA is a Commonwealth government agency established by the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

The Agency's purpose under the Act is to:

• promote and improve gender equality (including equal remuneration between women and men) in employment and in the workplace
• support employers to remove barriers to the full and equal participation of women in the workforce
• promote, amongst employers, the elimination of discrimination on the basis of gender in relation to employment matters (including in relation to family and caring responsibilities)
• foster workplace consultation between employers and employees on issues concerning gender equality in employment and in the workplace
• improve the productivity and competitiveness of Australian business through the advancement of gender equality in employment and in the workplace.

The Act requires private and Commonwealth public sector employers with 100 or more employees to report annually against six gender equality indicators. Employers with 500 or more employees must also have a policy for each of the 6 gender equality indicators. Those with 500 or more direct employees also need to select and achieve or improve against gender equality targets. 

WGEA works work with employers to help them comply with the reporting requirements under the Act. Read more about our legislation on the WGEA legislation page. 

We are committed to promoting and contributing to understanding, acceptance and public debate of gender equality issues in the workplace. WGEA employees regularly speak at events on workplace gender issues and work with business, academics, equal opportunity networks and women’s groups on like-minded projects.

Our functions include collecting and publishing information relating to gender equality indicators, assisting employers to take action, monitoring compliance, delivering programs and undertaking research.