COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the March quarter 2013, the All sectors and the Private sector wage price indexes rose 0.7%, while the Public sector rose 0.6%.

Through the year to the March quarter 2013, All sectors rose 3.1%. The Private sector rise of 3.2% was above that of the Public sector rise of 3.0%.


State/Territory (original)

South Australia and Western Australia recorded the largest quarterly All sectors rise of 0.9% while the Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest rise of 0.3%. In the March quarter 2013, South Australia rose 0.9% and the Northern Territory rose 0.5%. These were the only states or territories to record a larger quarterly rise than in the March quarter 2012. Rises through the year ranged from 2.9% for New South Wales to 3.7% for Western Australia.

In the Private sector, Western Australia recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.0%, while Victoria and Tasmania recorded the smallest of 0.4%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.7% for the Australian Capital Territory to 3.6% for Western Australia.

In the Public sector, South Australia recorded a rise of 1.4% which was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%. Western Australia recorded the largest through the year rise of all states and territories in the Public sector of 4.0%. The smallest through the year rise of 2.8% in the Public sector was recorded by New South Wales and Queensland.


Industry (original)



In the March quarter 2013, Mining recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.3% for All sectors. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.2% was recorded by Information media and telecommunications. The All sectors through the year rises to the March quarter 2013 ranged from 2.4% for Accommodation and food services and Rental, hiring and real estate services to 4.4% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.

In the Private sector, the largest quarterly rise of 1.3% was reported by Mining and Electricity, gas, water and waste services. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.1% was recorded by Information media and telecommunications.

In the Public sector, Education and training recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.2%, and Professional, scientific and technical services and Public administration and safety recorded the smallest rise of 0.3%.