The companies collectively employ nearly 505,000 Australians.
Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has awarded 115 companies its certification that recognises efforts to “combat key drivers of workplace gender inequality.”
The WGEA was set up in 2012 under the Gillard Labor government to promote gender equality and women’s participation across Australian workplaces.
On July 30, it released its list of Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation holders, covering 505,000 employees.
Some construction and real estate management firms managed to make the cut: CPB Contractors, John Holland Group, Lifestyle Communities Ltd, Stockland, and Transurban.
WGEA CEO Mary Wooldridge applauded the organisations for their work to address gender inequality.
She highlighted how companies prioritised strategies to improve the balance of women and men in key leadership positions, or found ways to address pay, recruitment, or promotion inequities.
“What they all have in common is a desire to take action to improve workplaces so that all employees can achieve their full potential. Where they hit roadblocks, they take note and plan new strategies to address them,” she added.
Among the 115 organisations, eight are first-time applicants for the citation, and 81 are renewing organisations.
Most companies are based in Victoria and New South Wales, with only one ACT organisation squeezing onto the list.
Meanwhile, the WGEA has announced a temporary suspension of applications for the EOCGE citation, with the government body to conduct a review of how it can assist employers to better meet its requirements.