COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the June quarter 2016, the Private sector index rose 0.4% and the Public sector rose 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the June quarter 2016 of 1.9% was lower than the Public sector rise of 2.3%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.1%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the June quarter 2016, the Private sector index rose 0.5% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

Through the year, All sectors rose 2.1%. The Private sector through the year rise to the June quarter 2016 of 2.0% was lower than the Public sector rise of 2.4%.


Australia/Sector (original)

In the June quarter 2016, wages grew 0.4% for All sectors for the third consecutive quarter. Wages grew 0.3% in both the Private and Public sectors.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.1%. The Private sector rose 1.9%, the lowest through the year rise since the beginning of the series in September 1998, and the Public sector rose 2.4%.


State/Territory (original)

In the June quarter 2016, the largest quarterly rise of 0.5% was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.8% for Western Australia to 2.2% for New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 0.5% for both New South Wales and Tasmania was the highest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The lowest quarterly rises of 0.2% were recorded by Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.6% for Western Australia and the Northern Territory to 2.4% for Tasmania. Western Australia has recorded through the year growth of less than 2.0% since March quarter 2015.

In the Public sector, the Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest quarterly rise (0.7%) of all states and territories. This was the largest rise for the Australian Capital Territory since the September quarter 2013. The Northern Territory recorded no rise (0.0%) the lowest of all states and territories. Changes in the timing of pay increases awarded under enterprise agreements can influence quarterly wages growth.

Western Australia recorded the highest through the year Public sector rise of all states and territories (3.0%) and Tasmania recorded the lowest (1.6%).


Industry (original)



In the June quarter 2016 the lowest quarterly rise for all industries of 0.1% was recorded by Retail trade and the highest of 0.9% was recorded by Wholesale trade.

Through the year rises for the June quarter 2016 ranged from 1.3% for Mining to 2.6% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.

Construction; Professional, scientific and technical services; and Administrative and support services have all recorded through the year growth lower than 2.0% for at least six consecutive quarters.

In the Private sector, Wholesale trade recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.9% and Retail trade the lowest growth over the quarter (0.1%). Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.3% for Mining to 2.5% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services, and Health care and social assistance.

In the Public sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.9%. Professional, scientific and technical services; Education and training; and Health care and social assistance all recorded the lowest wages growth of 0.2%. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.4% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.6% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Education and training.