The pay gap between white men and women is increasing rapidly according to the Tertiary Education Union.

Figures from the latest Quarterly Employment Survey data show the pay gap is now $4.20, growing seven percent in the past year.

Vice President Cat Pause said with far more woman working in state services these figures are concerning.

Pause said the Government is not only ignoring the pay gap but making it worse.

"Of course the government is responsible for the pay of the public sector and so if that's lagging behind private, and we know that the government is responsible."

She said lower state services pay packets show the government is a big factor in causing the gender pay divide.

She said when you look at the broader picture pay gaps are even more obvious.

Mrs Pause said if you compare the gap to inflation - now under one percent - you can see its increasing rapidly.