Australians are outraged by CEO pay, with 80% believing top executives are overpaid, as top earners make over 100 times the average worker’s salary.

Public concern over CEO pay in Australia has surged, with 80% of Australians believing top executives are overpaid. Data from 2023–24 shows ASX-listed CEOs earn over 100 times the average worker’s salary, far exceeding public perception of a seven-to-one ratio and the preferred three-to-one standard. The gap has widened since the 1990s due to globalization of executive labor markets, boosting pay in English-speaking nations like Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. BHP’s CEO earned 190 times the average worker’s pay, and Lovisa’s Victor Herrero made nearly $40 million. Despite growing distrust in institutions, corporate boards have largely ignored public sentiment. A 2018 Labor Party policy mandates large companies to disclose CEO-to-median-worker pay ratios, aiming to increase transparency and accountability.