11 Mar
Each year, International Women’s Day invites us to reflect on progress and consider what still needs attention. This year’s theme, Balance the Scale, is a timely reminder that equality in the workplace is rarely about a single policy or initiative. More often, it reflects the structure of an industry and how opportunity is distributed across it.
At Real Estate Industry Partners, advocacy for the profession sits at the centre of what we do. We are also a data-led organisation, and that means conversations about our industry should be grounded in evidence as well as experience.
Real estate has long benefited from strong female participation. Women play a central role in the day-to-day running of agencies across Australia and are highly represented across property management, operations and many of the functions that keep our businesses moving.
Signs of progress across the profession
Our industry is home to many outstanding female leaders who continue to shape the profession. Leaders such as Leanne Pilkington at Laing+Simmons, Charlotte Pascoe at Stockdale & Leggo, Lisa Pennell at Barry Plant and Karuna Mazzocchi at Coronis Group have been leading major businesses for many years.
Business owners including Maria Findikakis, Monika Tu and Cate Bakos have all built highly successful property businesses across the country.
These leaders are not only running successful organisations. Many are also mentoring others, opening doors and, as the saying goes, throwing the ladder down for those coming through the profession behind them.
Alongside these strong examples of leadership, the data gives us an opportunity to look more closely at how the structure of our industry shapes income outcomes.
Reporting from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) continues to bring greater transparency to gender pay outcomes across Australian workplaces and the latest report estimates the gender pay gap in the property sector at around 30 to 31 percent.
Importantly, the data highlights an issue that is less about participation and more about the roles people occupy within the industry.
Sales roles, business ownership and principal positions often carry commission income, bonuses and equity in the business. Operational roles such as property management and administration are typically salary based.
Across the industry, women are strongly represented in operational roles, while men remain more prevalent in sales and business ownership. Over time, that distribution influences income, career progression and leadership pathways.
Why the gap matters over time
This gap is not primarily driven by differences in pay for the same job. It is largely the result of how roles and opportunities are distributed across the profession. Career breaks for caregiving, higher rates of part-time work and earlier retirement can also influence long-term earnings.
Over time these differences compound, particularly when income flows through to long-term savings such as superannuation. Data referenced by REI Super indicates women retire with around 24 to 30 percent less superannuation than men, reflecting lifetime earnings patterns and time spent in the workforce.
As Claire Higgins, Chair of REI Super, has noted, “Women over 55 are the fastest-growing group of homeless people in Australia.” While confronting, this statistic highlights why conversations about pay, opportunity and career progression matter across the industry.
In that context, Balance the Scale is a useful way to frame the conversation for our profession. It is not about questioning the merit-based nature of real estate, but about ensuring that pathways into the highest-earning roles are visible and accessible to everyone working within it.
For business owners and leaders, this means looking closely at how careers develop within their organisations. Creating clearer pathways from operational roles into sales, leadership and business ownership is one area where progress can be made. Mentoring, training and leadership development programs can also support professionals who want to move across different parts of the industry.
Real estate has always been an industry built on opportunity. Balancing the scale simply asks us to ensure those opportunities remain visible and accessible across the profession as it continues to evolve.
Until next time,
Stay connected.
Sadhana Smiles
CEO, Real Estate Industry Partners
Your industry-backed and owned CMA and market insights tool helping you drive your real estate business with your data
Not an REIP member yet?
Join today for free and access exclusive discounts and offers from our partners.
Keep up to date with the latest industry news.
Subscribe to REIP Inside Real Estate.
