6345.0 - Wage Price Index, Australia, Sep 2014 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/11/2014   
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COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the September quarter 2014, the Private sector index rose 0.6% and the Public sector rose 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the September quarter 2014 of 2.5% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.7%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.5%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the September quarter 2014, the Private sector index rose 0.6%, larger than the Public sector rise of 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the September quarter 2014 of 2.5% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.7%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose 0.8% in the September quarter 2014 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.9% in the September quarter 2014, larger than the Public sector rise of 0.8%. For both All sectors and the Public sector, the quarterly rises were the smallest September quarter rises recorded in the Wage Price Index series.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.5%. The Private sector rose 2.5% and the Public sector 2.7%. For both All sectors and the Private sector, the through the year rises were the equal smallest recorded in the Wage Price Index series.


State/Territory (original)

In the September quarter 2014, Tasmania recorded a quarterly rise of 1.1%, the largest of all states and territories, and was the only state or territory to record a larger rise in the current quarter that in the September quarter 2013.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.7% for the Australian Capital Territory, to 2.8% for the Northern Territory.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise for Tasmania of 1.4% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The smallest quarterly rise was 0.8%, recorded in New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.1% for Western Australia to 2.8% for the Northern Territory.

In the Public sector, New South Wales and the Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.2%, with Queensland recording the smallest quarterly rise of 0.3%. Victoria recorded the largest through the year Public sector rise of 3.1%. The smallest through the year rise for the Public sector of 1.2% was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory and is the smallest movement of any state or territory since the start of the Wage Price Index series.


Industry (original)
Graph Image for Annual and Quarterly changes, Original, Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses, Industry


In the September quarter 2014, Accommodation and food services recorded the largest All sectors quarterly rise of 1.9%. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.2% was recorded by Mining.

The All sectors through the year rises to the September quarter 2014 ranged from 1.9% for Other services to 3.6% for Arts and recreation services.

In the Private sector, Accommodation and food services and Public administration and safety recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.8%. Mining recorded the smallest rise of 0.2%, which is the smallest quarterly rise recorded for Mining in the Wage Price Index series. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.0% for Other services to 4.0% for Arts and recreation services.

In the Public sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.1%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.4% was recorded by Education and training. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 3.3% for Health care and social assistance and Electricity, gas, water and waste services to 1.5% for Professional scientific and technical services. Public administration and safety (2.2%) recorded its smallest through the year rise since the commencement of the Wage Price Index.


National Minimum Wage Increase

A national minimum wage increase of 3.0% with effect from 1 July 2014 was granted by the Fair Work Commission in June 2014. This increase in minimum wage rates impacted on the Wage Price Index in September quarter 2014.