This year has seen the release of two reports that addressed critical social and economic issues impacting women in Western Sydney: Unlocking Women's Potential: Labour force participation in Western Sydney, a report produced by Western Sydney University [WSU], and the universal early childhood education and care draft report by the Productivity Commission. These reports reveal connections between women's workforce participation and the availability of early childhood education and services, shedding light on barriers and potential solutions.
The WSU report highlights several barriers to women's workforce participation in Western Sydney, including the spatial pay gap and labour market variation. Women in Western Sydney earn significantly less than their counterparts in other parts of Sydney, with areas like Liverpool and Fairfield exhibiting lower earnings, at an average of over $20,000, when compared with more affluent areas in Western Sydney such as the Hills. Despite gains in educational attainment, women's participation in the workforce remains lower than the national average, with many employed in lower paid, traditionally feminised sectors such as health care, social assistance, education and retail. There is a clear mismatch between educational qualifications and available employment opportunities, compounded by the burden of unpaid care responsibilities, particularly child care.
The Productivity Commission's draft report emphasises the importance of affordable, accessible and high‑quality childcare services to boost workforce participation, especially for women. Lower-income families, which often include women from disadvantaged backgrounds, face significant barriers in accessing these services due to cost. Workforce challenges within the childcare sector itself, including a shortage of qualified staff, limit the availability of services. There is also a need for more flexible services to accommodate the varied needs of families, particularly solo mothers and women with dependent children. The report stresses the necessity of inclusive services that cater to children with disabilities and those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Examining these reports together reveals interconnected issues such as geographic disparities, economic participation, affordability of childcare and the impact on women's economic participation. Geographic location significantly determines economic opportunities for women, with spatial pay gaps and labour market variations highlighting income disparities. Similarly, the availability and quality of these services are geographically uneven, with remote and disadvantaged areas having fewer and lower‑quality services.
Policies supporting flexible work arrangements and affordable child care can help women balance work and family commitments, addressing the sectoral employment challenges and the mismatch between educational attainment and employment opportunities. To address these interconnected challenges, it is essential to enhance childcare services in disadvantaged areas, improve affordability and access, support workforce participation and address systemic barriers.
Implementing targeted strategies to improve the availability and quality of childcare services in lower‑income and remote areas of Western Sydney is crucial. Policies that encourage flexible work arrangements and support women in balancing paid work and family commitments are necessary. Addressing systemic barriers that prevent women from entering and advancing in the workforce, such as cultural norms and structural constraints, is vital. Finally, adopting community-driven approaches and implementing policies informed by robust data tailored to the unique challenges of different local government areas will ensure that the actual needs and circumstances of women in the region are addressed. Addressing geographic and socio-economic disparities is essential to unlocking the full potential of women in Western Sydney. A collective effort from government, the private sector, educational institutions and community organisations is required to create equitable and sustainable employment opportunities for women.
Over the past year, the Minns Government has already made significant progress on those issues. We abolished the public sector wages cap, providing historic pay rises to public sector employees—two-thirds of whom are women. We developed new resources on perimenopause and menopause symptoms, boosted funding for women's health centres and breast care nurses, and improved access to medicines through a pharmacist trial. We have also established a standalone Women's Safety Commissioner to address domestic, family and sexual violence, and we have established the NSW Women's Advisory Council to advance gender equity. There is certainly much more to do, but by reducing barriers and supporting the diverse needs of women, significant social and economic progress for the community can be achieved.
