Analysis of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) earnings data confirms that a persistent gender wage gap exists in Australia where males receive higher wages than females undertaking equivalent work. Between 1990 to 2009, the gender wage gap remained within a narrow range of between 15% and 17%. However, in recent years the difference between male and female wages has steadily increased, from a low of 15.1% in February 2005, to over 18% in August 2014. Discuss the factors that contribute to the pay gap in Australia and why the gap is more significant in some industry sectors than others.