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Gender Discrimination in the Australian Graduate Labour Market

Author

Listed:
  • Ian W. Li

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Paul W. Miller

    (Curtin University)

Abstract

This paper examines gender discrimination in the Australian graduate labour market, using data from the Graduate Destination Surveys 1999-2009. A framework of analysis provided by the over-education/required education/under-education literature is applied. A smaller gender wage gap is found for university graduates than that reported for all workers in earlier studies. It is shown, however, that the gender wage gap widens with the age at graduation. This pattern is argued to reflect the influence of the mismeasurement of actual labour market experience in the conventional education and experience earnings equation on the standardised gender pay gap. Female graduates are less likely to be overeducated, compared to male graduates. Over-education, while associated with substantial penalties, is not a substantial contributor to the gender wage gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian W. Li & Paul W. Miller, 2012. "Gender Discrimination in the Australian Graduate Labour Market," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 15(3), pages 167-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:15:y:2012:i:3:p:167-199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Boll, Christina & Leppin, Julian Sebastian, 2013. "Unterwertige Beschäftigung von Akademikerinnen und Akademikern: Umfang, Ursachen, Einkommenseffekte und Beitrag zur geschlechtsspezifischen Lohnlücke," HWWI Policy Papers 75, Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economics of Gender; Human Capital; Labor Productivity; Wage Differentials; Labor Discrimination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J70 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - General

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