COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the March quarter 2019 the Private sector rose 0.5% and Public sector indexes rose 0.4%.

The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

The through the year rise for both the Private and Public sector indexes to the March quarter 2019 was 2.4%.


Australia/Sector (original)

In the March quarter 2019 both the Private and Public sector indexes rose 0.4%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.3%. Through the year the Private and Public sectors grew 2.3% and 2.4% respectively, which continues the moderate rate of wage growth over the last two years.


State/Territory (original)

In the March quarter 2019, four states and territories recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.5%: Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory. Western Australia recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.3%.

Rises through the year ranged from 2.7% for Victoria to 1.6% for Western Australia, which for Western Australia extends the period of lowest state growth to four quarters.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 0.6% for Tasmania was the highest rise of all states and territories. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.3% was recorded for Western Australia.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.7% for Western Australia to 3.1% for Tasmania.

In the Public sector, Victoria recorded the highest quarterly rise of all the states and territories (0.7%). Queensland recorded the lowest rise of 0.1%.

Through the year, the Northern Territory recorded the highest Public sector rise of 3.6%, and Tasmania recorded the lowest (1.1%).


Industry (original)



Wage growth in the Health care and social assistance and Education and training industries were the main contributors to the March quarter 2019 index growth.

In the Private sector, Construction, Retail trade, Accommodation and food services, Rental, hiring and real estate services, Administrative and support services and Public administration and safety industries recorded the lowest growth over the quarter (0.2%). The Electricity, gas, water and waste services industry recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.8% for the Construction and Information media and telecommunication services industries, to 3.3% for Health care and social assistance.

In the Public sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Professional, scientific and technical services industries recorded the lowest quarterly wages growth of 0.2% while Education and training recorded the highest at 0.7%.

Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 2.0% for the Professional, scientific and technical services industry to 2.5% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services, Public administration and safety and Health care and social assistance.