COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the December quarter 2012, the Public sector, Private sector and All sectors wage price indexes rose 0.8%.

The Public sector rise of 3.2% through the year to the December quarter was below that of the Private sector (3.4%).


State/Territory (original)

The Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly All sectors rise (1.1%) while New South Wales recorded the smallest (0.4%). Victoria (1.0%) was the only state or territory to record a rise that was larger than in the December quarter 2011 (0.9%). Quarterly rises for Tasmania (0.5%) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.7%) were the same as in the December quarter 2011. Rises through the year ranged from 3.1% for Queensland and South Australia to 4.3% for Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

In the Private sector, Victoria recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.0%, while Tasmania recorded the smallest (0.4%). Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.8% for the Australian Capital Territory to 4.3% for Western Australia.

In the Public sector, the Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories (1.5%) while New South Wales recorded the smallest quarterly rise (0.3%).

The largest through the year rise of all states and territories in the Public sector was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory (5.2%). The large through the year rise to the December quarter 2012 reflects the change in timing of pay increases due to the introduction of new Enterprise Agreements for some Australian Government agencies during the previous twelve months. The smallest through the year rise for the Public sector was recorded by South Australia (2.5%).


Industry (original)



In the December quarter 2012, Information media and telecommunications services recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.4% for both All sectors and the Private sector. The smallest quarterly rises for both All sectors and the Private sector were recorded by Accommodation and food services, and Education and training (0.3%).

In the Public sector, Health care and social assistance recorded the largest quarterly rise (1.2%), and Education and training the smallest (0.3%).

The All sectors through the year rise to the December quarter 2012 ranged from 2.2% for Accommodation and food services to 5.1% for Mining.