COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the December quarter 2016, the Private sector index rose 0.4% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

Through the year, All sectors rose 1.9%. The Private sector through the year rise to the December quarter 2016 was 1.8%, a new record low for the series, and the Public sector rose 2.3%.


Australia/Sector (original)

In the December quarter 2016, wages rose 0.4% for All sectors. Private sector wages grew 0.3%, which continues the slowing of wages growth over the last two years. The Public sector quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.0%. Through the year Private sector growth continues to track below the Public sector, 1.8% and 2.3% respectively.


State/Territory (original)

In the December quarter 2016, the largest quarterly rise of 0.6% was recorded by Queensland and South Australia. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Western Australia and Tasmania.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.4% for Western Australia to 2.4% for Tasmania.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 0.4% for New South Wales was the highest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.1% was recorded by Western Australia.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.2% for Western Australia to 2.4% for Tasmania. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have now all recorded through the year growth of less than 2.0% for at least the past year.

In the Public sector, Queensland recorded the highest quarterly rise of all the states and territories of 1.3%. New South Wales recorded the lowest of 0.2%. Changes in the timing of pay increases awarded under enterprise agreements can influence quarterly wages growth in the Public sector.

Queensland and the Northern Territory recorded the highest through the year Public sector rise of all states and territories of 2.9% and Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the lowest (1.8%).


Industry (original)



In the Private sector, Information media and telecommunication services recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.1% and Mining, Wholesale trade, Professional, scientific and technical services and Other services had the lowest growth over the quarter (0.1%). Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.0% for Mining to 2.4% for Education and training and Health care and social assistance.

Mining recorded the lowest through the year growth since the start of the WPI for the second consecutive quarter. Industries exposed to Mining such as Construction, Professional, scientific and technical services and Administrative and support services also continue to have low wages growth.

In the Public sector, Health care and social assistance recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.8%. The rate of wage growth was influenced by recently ratified Public sector enterprise agreements delivering wage increases this quarter. Electricity, gas, water and waste services, Professional, scientific and technical services and Public administration and safety recorded the lowest quarterly wages growth of 0.5%.

Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.5% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.5% for Education and training.