A hearing is due to begin in the Court of Appeal challenging an earlier finding that low pay for women in the aged-care industry amounts to gender discrimination.
Rest-home company TerraNova Homes and Care is taking the case over an Employment Court ruling.
Last year, Terra Nova employee Kristine Bartlett took the company to the Employment Court and won. In its decision, the court found low wages can be considered discriminatory against women, even if some men earn the same amount.
However the Aged Care Association, which is directing the legal action for TerraNova, argues no aged-care provider can afford to pay wages at a level higher than that currently paid, without more government funding.
The hearing of what is seen as a test case will end on Tuesday and the Court of Appeal is expected to reserve its decision.