COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the June quarter 2014, the Private sector index rose 0.6% and the Public sector rose 0.8%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the June quarter 2014 of 2.5% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 3.0%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the June quarter 2014, the All sectors, Private and Public sectors wage price indexes all rose 0.6%.

For the fourth consecutive quarter, the All sectors through the year rise was 2.6%. The Private sector through the year rise of 2.4% was the smallest recorded since the commencement of the series. The Public sector through the year rise was 2.8%.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose 0.4% in the June quarter 2014 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.4% in the June quarter 2014, larger than the Public sector rise of 0.3%. For both All sectors and the Private sector, the quarterly rises were the equal smallest recorded in the series. The All sectors quarterly rise of 0.4% was last recorded in June quarter 2013; the Private sector quarterly rise of 0.4% was last recorded in June quarter 1998.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.6%. The Private sector rose 2.5% and the Public sector 2.9%.


State/Territory (original)

In the June quarter 2014, Victoria recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.6% of all states and territories, and was the only state or territory to record a larger rise in the current quarter than in the June quarter 2013.

Rises through the year ranged from 2.3% for Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, to 3.1% for South Australia.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise for Victoria of 0.6% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The smallest quarterly rise was 0.3%, recorded in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.1% for the Australian Capital Territory to 3.1% for South Australia. New South Wales (2.4%) recorded its smallest through the year rise since the commencement of the Wage Price Index.

In the Public sector, Victoria and Queensland recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.4%, and the Northern Territory recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%. The Public sector quarterly rise for Western Australia of 0.2% was lower than for the June quarter of 2013 (1.3%). This is mostly the result of Western Australian Public sector employees not receiving pay rises in the June quarter 2014 as they did in the June quarter 2013. South Australia recorded the largest through the year Public sector rise of 3.4%. The smallest through the year rise for the Public sector of 2.3% was recorded by Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.


Industry (original)




In the June quarter 2014, Mining recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.9% for All sectors. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.1% was recorded by Accommodation and food services; Public administration and safety; and Arts and recreation services.

Mining, Professional, scientific and technical services, Administrative and support services, and Other services were the only industries to record larger quarterly rises when compared to the same quarter the year before.

Electricity, gas, water and waste services (0.2%) and Public administration and safety (0.1%) recorded their smallest quarterly rises since the commencement of the series.

The All sectors through the year rises to the June quarter 2014 ranged from 2.0% for Wholesale trade and Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.2% for Education and training.

In the Private sector, Mining recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.9%. Electricity, gas, water and waste services, Retail trade, Accommodation and food services and Arts and recreation services all recorded the smallest rise of 0.2%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.9% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.4% for Education and training.

In the Public sector, Health care and social assistance recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.7%. Professional, scientific and technical services recorded no growth (0.0%). Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 2.8% for Public administration and safety and Health care and social assistance to 3.3% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.