6345.0 - Wage Price Index, Australia, Sep 2018 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/11/2018   
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COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the September quarter 2018 the Private sector index rose 0.5%, and the Public and All sectors rose 0.6%.

The All sectors rise through the year to September quarter 2018 was 2.3%, the Private sector rose 2.1% and the Public sector rose 2.5%.


Australia/Sector (original)

September quarter wages growth was mainly influenced by increases to the national minimum wage, regularly scheduled enterprise agreement increases, modern awards and salary reviews timed to coincide with the financial year. Of note, the 2017-18 Fair Work Commission annual wage review increased the minimum wage and modern awards by 3.5%.

In the September quarter 2018 wages rose 1.0% for All sectors. The Public sector quarterly growth of 0.9% was lower than the Private sector rise of 1.0%.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.3%. The Private sector rise of 2.2% was the highest through the year rise recorded since June quarter 2015. The Public sector rose 2.5%.


Australia/Wage-setting Methods (original)

The WPI can be decomposed into the contributions of the separate wage-setting methods (enterprise agreements, individual agreements and awards) on wage growth in Australia. In the September quarter 2018 wage growth was driven by an increased contribution of jobs covered by each wage-setting method compared to September quarter 2017.

Diagram: Australian Wage Growth Sept 2013 to Sept 2018

Further detail can be found in the ABS Chief Economist Series, Wage-setting methods and wage growth in Australia. https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/ABS+Chief+Economist+-+Full+Paper+of+Wage-setting+methods+and+wage+growth+in+Australia


State/Territory (original)

In the September quarter 2018, Tasmania recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.4%. Western Australia recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.6%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.6% for Western Australia to 2.6% for Tasmania.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 1.9% for Tasmania was the highest rise of all states and territories. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.6% was recorded by Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for the Northern Territory to 2.8% for Tasmania.

In the Public sector, New South Wales recorded the highest quarterly rise of all the states and territories (1.5%). South Australia recorded the lowest rise of 0.3%.

Through the year, Victoria continued to record the highest Public sector rise of 3.3%, while Western Australia recorded the lowest of 1.5%.


Industry (original)

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



In the Private sector, Financial and insurance services recorded the lowest growth over the quarter (0.4%). Accommodation and food services recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.9%.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.7% for Mining and Public administration and safety to 3.0% for Education and training and Health care and social assistance.

In the Public sector, Professional, scientific and technical services recorded the lowest quarterly wages growth of 0.5%, while Public administration and safety recorded the highest at 1.2%.

Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.7% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.6% for Health care and social assistance.