Thousands of people have been taking part in the biggest national protest since the 1970s to fight for equal pay for women.
The Australian Services Union, which represents workers in the female-dominated community services sector, organised marches in capital cities and many regional centres.
The ASU is also urging women in workplaces across Australia to take an extra 10-minute break today to reflect on the gender pay gap that exists in Australia.
18 per cent gap remains
ASU NSW secretary Sally McManus said in 2010 a gap of 18 per cent remained between the average wages of men and women.
"Women's work is not being properly valued," Ms McManus said as the crowd gathered at Sydney's Town Hall ahead of a march through the city.
"Workers in the community sector are a classic example of a female-dominated industry being underpaid."
In Melbourne, protesters rallied in Federation Square and marched to the Victorian parliament to deliver a petition in support of their claims.
$100 a week pay rise
Unions are fighting for pay rises of between 18 and 37 per cent for community sector workers, the people who helped society's most needy, Ms McManus said.
This would mean an average $100 a week pay rise for people working in areas such as disability support, youth work and family support.
Ms McManus said the rally was organised to support the ASU's test case with Fair Work Australia on pay equity for community sector workers.
Union submissions in the case closed on Monday, but the federal government and employers will have until August to respond.
