Unpacking Intersectional Inequality: Pay Gaps in the APS and Financial Sector

This presentation investigates how intersecting aspects of identity—such as gender, ancestry, and migration background shape pay outcomes in the Australian Public Service and financial sector. Using linked administrative microdata from tax and Census records, it highlights how traditional diversity frameworks can obscure persistent disadvantage faced by culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) individuals. The analysis reflects on how existing diversity frameworks often overlook overlapping forms of disadvantage, and argues for more nuanced, data-informed approaches to understanding and addressing inequality in public institutions. This work reveals that culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) individuals—particularly women—face persistent earnings penalties and reduced promotion prospects, even when qualifications, experience, and roles are held constant. Anglo-Celtic men remain overrepresented among top earners and senior executives. While overall representation may be improving, significant disparities remain in earnings across groups, even when qualifications and roles are comparable.