Business advocates are taking a wait-and-see approach to a landmark pay equality decision.

The Court of Appeal has backed a ruling in favour of a Lower Hutt care worker, saying sectors staffed predominantly by women should have pay parity with other sectors.

BusinessNZ employment manager Paul Mackay says more work is now required.

"The Employment Court should now consider or establish the principles against which decisions can be made in the future."

Mackay questions the extent to which unlike groups of workers can be compared in equal pay cases.

"Does that mean that pay rates will have to change. None of those questions you can answer other than hypothetically."

Paul Mackay wants the Government to consider legislation, to bring clarity to the issue.