6345.0 - Wage Price Index, Australia, Jun 2015 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/08/2015   
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COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the June quarter 2015, the Private sector index rose 0.5% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the June quarter 2015 of 2.2% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.5%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.3%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the June quarter 2015, the Private sector index rose 0.5%, lower than the Public sector rise of 0.7%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the June quarter 2015 of 2.2% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.5%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.3%. The through the year rise for the Private sector was the lowest rate of wages growth recorded since the start of the series. The through the year series commenced in the September quarter 1998.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose 0.4% in the June quarter 2015 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.4% in the June quarter 2015, higher than the Public sector rise of 0.3%.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.3%. The Private sector rose 2.2% and the Public sector 2.5%.


State/Territory (original)

In the June quarter 2015, the largest quarterly rise of 0.7% was recorded by Victoria. Queensland and South Australia recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.2%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.9% for the Australian Capital Territory, to 2.6% for Victoria.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise for Victoria of 0.7% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.8% for Western Australia to 2.6% for Tasmania. For the fourth quarter in a row, Western Australia has recorded the slowest through the year wages growth of all states and territories.

In the Public sector, Tasmania and Western Australia recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.6%, with Northern Territory recording the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%. Victoria recorded the largest through the year Public sector rise of 3.3%. For the fourth consecutive quarter, the smallest through the year rise for the Public sector was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory (1.5%). Public sector wages growth in other states and territories is mostly driven by regularly scheduled State and Local government pay increases. In the ACT Commonwealth government pay changes are most evident in the wages growth reported.


Industry (original)

Graph Image for Annual and Quarterly changes, Original, Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses - Industry



In the June quarter 2015, Financial and insurance services recorded the largest quarterly rise of all industries, 0.8%. Annual salary reviews combined with pay increases awarded under Enterprise Agreements contributed to this quarterly rise. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.1% was recorded by Rental, hiring and real estate services industry.

The All sectors through the year rises for the June quarter 2015 ranged from 1.7% for Construction and Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.8% for Financial and insurance services.

In the Private sector, Financial and insurance services recorded the largest quarterly rise of all industries, 0.8%. Of the other industries almost half recorded the smallest rise of 0.2%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.7% for Construction to 3.4% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services. The through the year wages growth of 1.7% was the lowest recorded for the Construction industry since the start of the series.

In the Public sector, Health care and social assistance recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.7%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.1% was recorded by Professional, scientific and technical services. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.4% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.1% for Education and training.