COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the March quarter 2015, the Private sector index rose 0.5% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%, which is the smallest All sectors quarterly increase since September quarter 2009.

The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2015 of 2.3% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.5%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.3%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the March quarter 2015, the Private sector index rose 0.4%, lower than the Public sector rise of 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2015 of 2.2% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.4%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.3%. The through the year rises for the Private, Public and All sectors are the lowest rates of wages growth recorded since the start of the series. The through the year series commenced in the September quarter 1998.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose 0.4% in the March quarter 2015 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.3% in the March quarter 2015, smaller than the Public sector rise of 0.7%.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.3%. The Private sector rose 2.2% and the Public sector 2.5%.


State/Territory (original)

In the March quarter 2015, the largest quarterly rise of 0.6% was recorded by South Australia and Tasmania. Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.3%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.8% for the Australian Capital Territory, to 2.6% for Victoria.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise for Tasmania of 0.5% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded for the Northern Territory. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.9% for Western Australia to 2.6% for Tasmania.

In the Public sector, Victoria recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.0%, with the Australian Capital Territory recording the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%. Victoria recorded the largest through the year Public sector rise of 3.2%. For the third consecutive quarter in a row, the smallest through the year rise for the Public sector was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory (1.3%). Public sector wages growth in other states and territories is mostly driven by regularly scheduled State and Local government pay increases. In the ACT Commonwealth government pay changes are most evident in the wages growth reported.


Industry (original)




In the March quarter 2015, Education and training recorded the largest All sectors quarterly rise of 1.0%. It was, however, the lowest March quarter rise for the Education and training industry since 2002. This was mostly due to a change in timing of pay rises from enterprise agreements. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.1% was recorded by Administrative and support services.

The All sectors through the year rises for the March quarter 2015 ranged from 1.6% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.8% for Education and training.

In the Private sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.9%. Information media and telecommunications and Administrative and support services both recorded the smallest rise of 0.1%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.7% for Professional, scientific and technical services and Administrative and support services to 3.3% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services. The Construction and Administrative and support services industries both recorded the lowest rate of through the year wages growth since the start of the series, 1.8% and 1.7% respectively.

In the Public sector, Education and training recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.1%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Health care and social assistance. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.3% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.0% for Education and training.


Including Bonuses (original)

The Private sector Wage Price Index series including bonuses (total hourly rates of pay including bonuses) recorded a flat quarterly result in the March quarter 2015, the lowest quarterly movement since the start of the series. This was mostly the result of annual bonuses received being lower than in the previous year.