COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the March quarter 2018 the Private, Public and All sector indexes each rose 0.5%.

Through the year, the Private sector rise to the March quarter 2018 was 1.9%, the Public sector rose 2.3%, and All sectors rose 2.1%.


Australia/Sector (original)

In the March quarter 2018, wages rose 0.4% for All sectors. Private and Public sector wages grew 0.4% and 0.5% respectively.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.1%. Through the year Private sector growth (2.0%) continues to track below Public sector growth (2.3%).

Wage increases in jobs covered by enterprise bargaining agreements made the largest contribution to growth, as was the case in previous March quarters.


State/Territory (original)

In the March quarter 2018, South Australia and Tasmania recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.6%. Northern Territory recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.2%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.1% for the Northern Territory to 2.3% for Victoria and Tasmania.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 0.5% for the Australian Capital Territory was the highest rise of all states and territories. The equal lowest quarterly rise of 0.3% was recorded by Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for the Northern Territory to 2.3% for Tasmania.

In the Public sector, Tasmania recorded the highest quarterly rise of all the states and territories (1.1%). Queensland and the Northern Territory recorded the lowest rise of 0.2%.

Through the year, Victoria recorded the highest Public sector rise of 2.9%, and the Northern Territory recorded the lowest (0.6%). The through the year rise for the Northern Territory was the lowest recorded for any state, or territory for the second consecutive quarter in the history of the series.


Industry (original)



Wage growth in the Education and training and Health care and social assistance industries were the main contributors to the March quarter 2018 index growth.

In the Private sector, the Public administration and safety industry recorded the lowest growth over the quarter (0.1%). The Education and training industry recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.9%.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for Mining to 2.8% for Health care and social assistance.

In the Public sector, Professional, scientific and technical services recorded the lowest quarterly wages growth of 0.2%. Education and training recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.8%.

Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.8% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.8% for Health care and social assistance.