The 2011 GradStats report showed a large pay gap in architecture, commerce and earth sciences, but equal pay in traditional male fields of engineering and mathematics.

Nadia Verrucci, a sub dean in the University of Wollongong's Faculty of Commerce, said that while a degree of discrimination still existed, there were other factors which affected the results.

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency director Helen Conway this week called on employers to address their remuneration practices following the release of figures by Graduate Careers Australia which showed males started full-time work on a median salary of $52,000 whilefemales earned $50,000.

"From day one, female employees are behind the eight-ball across a range of industries," Ms Conway said.

In 14 areas, male starting salaries were greater, the highest being earth sciences with a difference of $10,000.

Ms Verrucci, who teaches a unit on gender, work and the family, said that with today's equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws, it would be difficult to discriminate.

She believed the incidence of females choosing lesser-paying, "family friendly" jobs, played a role.

"A lot of young girls, I still find, make choices based on what they think they're going to want to do to set up their lifestyle ... 'If I want a child I'd better go into this area'.

"But those family-friendly areas are ones which offer the lowest rates of pay."

She said an economics graduate who started with the Federal Treasury was paid differently from one who chose a less high-powered role.

The fact that women excelled or were equal to men in other fields suggested the need for deeper examination, Ms Verrucci said.

"There's still a small element of discrimination but what's left is ingrained and will take a long time to change," she said.