Suppliers tendering for government contracts will have to prove their gender equality credential as part of a 12 month procurement pilot launched in WA.

Fifteen state government agencies are participating in the pilot, which came into force on July 1.

The Gender Equality in Procurement – WA Public Sector Pilot will introduce a gender equality clause into public sector procurement.

The move is designed to put the onus on suppliers of goods and services to implement gender equality policies and practices.

Businesses with fewer than 100 employees will have to answer questions about salary pay gaps, flexible and family-friendly work arrangements, parental leave, support for victims of sexual harassment, anti-discrimination programs and support for victims of domestic abuse.

Companies with more than 100 employees will need to demonstrate they comply with Workplace Gender Equality Agency reporting requirements and are required to attach a letter of compliance with the Workplace Gender Equality Act.

The pilot will be by led the Department of Communities with support from the Department of Finance. 

Promoting gender equality via purchasing power

The government says the pilot will test how it can use its purchasing power to promote gender equality.

“This initiative will use the purchasing power of the state government to ensure companies are playing their part to address gender inequality in the workplace,” womens interests minister Simone McGurk said.

“It is not only the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense to support and champion gender equality.”

Finance minister Tony Buti said he hoped the pilot would have the similar positive results as Aboriginal employment policies.

According to statistics from the Workforce Gender Equality Agency and the ABS, WA has one of the highest gender pay gaps in the country, with the gap favouring full-time working men over full-time women in every industry and occupational category in the country.

Resources for businesses are available here.