LABOUR COSTS
The Australian manufacturing industy incurred $58.6b in total labour costs during 2006-07. Food product manufacturing accounted for $10.1b (17%), followed by Machinery and equipment manufacturing with $7.2b (12%).
The Australian manufacturing industry paid $50.2b in wages and salaries in 2006-07, which represented 86% of labour costs for the industry overall.
Total wages and salaries paid rose, in current price terms, in 13 of the 15 manufacturing industry subdivisions between 2005-06 and 2006-07. The largest decline (0.9%) was recorded in Pulp, paper and converted paper product manufacturing.
The manufacturing industry subdivision showing the largest percentage and absolute increase in wages and salaries in 2006-07 was Primary metal and metal product manufacturing (up 14% or $0.5b).