Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) has awarded The George Institute for Global Health a SAGE Cygnet Award in recognition of its sustained, evidence-based action to embed gender pay equity across the organisation, delivering significant and measurable reductions in its gender pay gap.
The Cygnet Award recognises The George Institute’s whole-of-organisation approach to tackling its gender pay gap, which includes transparent governance, robust data capability, and long-term strategic commitment.
Building the conditions for equity through systems and accountability
Chief People Officer Sarah Bench said several strategic changes over the past 12 months have contributed to this achievement. These include removing the link between pay and performance ratings, establishing a global career pathways framework, and benchmarking salaries against external markets.
“Pay equity is a fundamental driver of justice, dignity and respect within our institute and in the work that we do. For this reason, it is crucial that we continue to reduce gender pay gaps and advance pay equity across multiple diverse groups.”
To support this work, a new pay equity dashboard enables quarterly monitoring, while standardised salary ranges in job advertisements help minimise bias during recruitment and negotiation.
Measurable progress on closing the gap
The George Institute achieved and exceeded its strategic target for reducing its median gender pay gap. As reported to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), the median gender pay gap in March 2024 was 11.7%, a decrease of 9.2 percentage points since 2018.
The average gender pay gap, while remaining higher than the median, also declined by 33% over the same period.
Importantly, this progress has translated into stronger staff confidence. Most staff now agree that The George Institute’s recruitment processes are fair, equitable and non-discriminatory (74% of women and 78% of men), reflecting increased trust driven by clearer communication and transparency around pay practices.
SAGE CEO, Dr Janin Bredehoeft: “Reducing gender pay gaps requires organisations to be honest about legacy systems and deliberate about changing them. The George Institute has shown how strategic targets, transparency and ongoing review can measurably shift outcomes, while keeping equity firmly on the organisational agenda.”
Sustaining momentum and embedding institutional change
By embedding gender pay equity into governance, workforce design and recruitment practices, The George Institute for Global Health has demonstrated how targeted, data-driven action can deliver fairer outcomes and strengthen organisational trust.
“By taking thoughtful, structured steps forward and remaining laser-focused on long-term change, we’ve proven that real progress on pay equity is achievable,” said Dr Anna Palagyi, Chair of the Institute’s Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team.
“This second Cygnet milestone reflects The George Institute’s commitment to building a workplace characterised by fairness and inclusion, where everyone feels valued and supported.”
Looking ahead, The George Institute has committed to further action, including a new organisational goal to reduce its median gender pay gap by a further 20% in 2025, and expanding its data capability to support future intersectional analysis.
About the SAGE Cygnet Award
SAGE Cygnet Awards celebrate organisations that have demonstrated progress in making their workplaces more equitable by removing or reducing a barrier to inclusion. They must be able to show that these changes have had a real impact on staff and/or students.
This builds on The George Institute’s Athena Swan Bronze Award, and it’s first SAGE Cygnet Award on supporting parents and carers.
You can read all about The George Institute’s actions, outcomes, and impact in their full Cygnet Award Application, or read an overview version in this Progress and Impact Summary.
About SAGE
Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) is Australasia’s leading advocate and accrediting body for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the education and research sector. It is the guide our region’s brightest minds turn to when they want a vibrant workplace where everyone can thrive.
Using an evidence-based and impact-focused framework, SAGE helps institutions build systemic, structural, and cultural change. Their world-respected Athena Swan accreditation program drives and measures institutions’ progress against international benchmarks.
