Thousands of people have gathered around Australia calling for better pay for women working in the community sector.

Rallies are taking place at 17 locations across the country as part of a union-backed national day of action for equal pay.

It is the biggest Australia-wide rally since the 1970s to fight for equal pay for women.

The Australian Services Union (ASU), which represents workers in the female-dominated community services sector, organised the marches.

ASU secretary for New South Wales Sally McManus says the issue is now the subject of a historic test case being lodged with Fair Work Australia.

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