COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the March quarter 2014, the Private sector index rose by 0.6% and the Public sector index rose at a faster rate of 0.8%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.7%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2014 of 2.5% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.9%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the March quarter 2014, the Private sector index rose by 0.7% and the Public sector index rose at a faster rate of 0.8%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.7%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2014 of 2.6% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.9%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose by 0.7% in the March quarter 2014 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.6% in the March quarter 2014, smaller than the Public sector rise of 0.8%. This was the second quarter in a row that the wages growth in the Public sector was stronger than in the Private sector.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.6%. The Private sector rose 2.6% and the Public sector 2.9%.


State/Territory (original)

In the March quarter 2014, the Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.9% and the Australian Capital Territory the smallest rise of 0.2%.

Quarterly rises in South Australia (0.6%), Western Australia (0.6%) and the Australian Capital Territory (0.2%) were smaller in the current quarter than in the March quarter 2013. All other states and territories recorded larger rises compared to the quarterly changes the year before.

Rises through the year ranged from 2.3% for Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory to 3.2% for South Australia.

Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory recorded their smallest through the year rises since 2000.

In the Private sector, the Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.8%, and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest rise of 0.3%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.2% for the Australian Capital Territory to 3.4% for South Australia.

In the Public sector, the quarterly rise for Northern Territory of 1.2% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.2%. The largest through the year Public sector rise of all states and territories was recorded in Western Australia, 4.1%. The smallest through the year rise for the Public sector of 2.2% was recorded by Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.


Industry (original)




In the March quarter 2014, Education and training recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.5% for All sectors, which was the largest quarterly rise in two years for this industry. This is the result of enterprise agreement pay increases.

The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.2% was recorded by the Information media and telecommunications industry.

The All sectors through the year rises to the March quarter 2014 ranged from 1.9% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.3% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Arts and recreation services.

Wages growth in the Mining industry has continued to slow. The through the year rise of 2.4% is the lowest for this industry since December quarter 2000.

Mining, Retail trade and Administrative and support services were the only industries to record smaller rises when compared to the quarterly changes in the year before.

In the Private sector, Education and training and Arts and recreation services both recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.5%. Information media and telecommunications recorded the smallest rise of 0.2%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.8% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.6% for Arts and recreation services.

In the Public sector, Education and training recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.5%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.5% was recorded by both Professional, scientific and technical services and Public administration and safety. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 2.6% for Health care and social assistance to 3.6% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.