On 1 September 2016, the Senate referred an inquiry into the Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015 to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 14 November 2016.

On 10 November 2016, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 30 November 2016.

The committee considered the Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill in the 44th Parliament. This inquiry lapsed at the dissolution of the Senate on 9 May 2016. On the inquiry being re-referred by the Senate, the committee has resolved not to call on new submissions but to rely on submissions received during the 44th Parliament.