COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the December quarter 2017 the Private sector index rose 0.5% and the Public sector index rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was also 0.6%.

Through the year, the Private sector rise to the December quarter 2017 was 1.9%, the Public sector rose 2.4%, and All sectors rose 2.1%.


Australia/Sector (original)

In the December quarter 2017, wages rose 0.5% for All sectors. Private and Public sector wages grew 0.4% and 0.6% respectively.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.1%. Through the year Private sector growth (1.9%) continues to track below Public sector growth (2.4%).

Wage increases in jobs covered by enterprise bargaining agreements made the largest contribution to growth, as was the case in December quarter 2016.


State/Territory (original)

In the December quarter 2017, Victoria and Queensland recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.6%. Tasmania and the Northern Territory recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.2%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.1% for the Northern Territory to 2.4% for Victoria.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise of 0.6% for Victoria was the highest rise of all states and territories. The equal lowest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for the Northern Territory to 2.2% for Victoria and Tasmania.

In the Public sector, Queensland recorded the highest quarterly rise of all the states and territories (1.3%). The Northern Territory recorded the lowest of 0.1%.

Through the year, Victoria recorded the highest Public sector rise of 3.1%, and the Northern Territory recorded the lowest (0.6%). The through the year rise for the Northern Territory was the lowest recorded for any state, or territory in the history of the series.


Industry (original)



Wage growth for jobs in the Education and training, and Health care and social assistance industries were the main contributors to the Australia level quarterly index growth.

In the Private sector, Wholesale trade, Retail trade, Accommodation and food services, Rental, hiring and real estate services and Public administration and safety industries all recorded the equal lowest growth over the quarter (0.2%). The Information, media and telecommunications industry recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%.

Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for Mining to 2.6% for Health care and social assistance.

In the Public sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the lowest quarterly wages growth of 0.3%. Professional, scientific and technical services recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%.

Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.9% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.9% for Health care and social assistance.