6345.0 - Wage Price Index, Australia, Mar 2016 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/05/2016   
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COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the March quarter 2016, the Private sector index rose 0.4% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.4%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2016 of 1.9% was lower than the Public sector rise of 2.5%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.0%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the March quarter 2016, the Private sector index rose 0.4% and the Public sector rose 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.4%, the lowest rate of wages growth recorded since the start of the series in 1997.

Through the year, All sectors rose 2.1%. The Private sector through the year rise to the March quarter 2016 of 1.9% was lower than the Public sector rise of 2.5%.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages grew 0.4% in the March quarter 2016 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.3% and the Public sector rose 0.6% in the March quarter 2016.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.1%. The Private sector rose 2.0% and the Public sector 2.4%.


State/Territory (original)

In the March quarter 2016, the highest quarterly rise of 0.7% was recorded by Tasmania. The Northern Territory recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.2%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.8% for the Australian Capital Territory to 2.4% for Victoria. Since December quarter 2014 Victoria has recorded the highest rate of through the year wages growth.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rises for South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (0.5%) were the highest quarterly rises of the states and territories. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by the Northern Territory. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.6% for Western Australia to 2.4% for Victoria. Western Australia has recorded the lowest through the year growth of all states and territories each quarter since September quarter 2014.

In the Public sector, Queensland and Tasmania recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%, with South Australia and the Northern Territory recording the lowest quarterly rise of 0.2%. Western Australia recorded the highest through the year Public sector rise of all states and territories, 3.3%. For the seventh consecutive quarter, the lowest through the year rise for the Public sector was recorded by the Australian Capital Territory (1.7%).


Industry (original)

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


In the March quarter 2016 the lowest quarterly rise for all industries of 0.1% was recorded by Information media and telecommunications, Rental, hiring and real estate services and Administrative and support services. Education and training recorded the highest quarterly rise of all industries, 1.0%.

The All industries through the year rises for the March quarter 2016 ranged from 1.3% for Rental, hiring and real estate services to 2.6% for Financial and insurance services, Education and training, and Health care and social assistance. Construction, Professional, scientific and technical services and Administrative and support services industries have all recorded through the year growth lower than 2.0% for five consecutive quarters.

In the Private sector, Education and training recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%. Administrative and support services recorded the lowest quarterly growth over the quarter (0.0%). Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.3% for Administrative and support services to 2.6% for Electricity, gas water and waste services.

In the Public sector, Education and training recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0%. The lowest quarterly rise of 0.1% was recorded by Electricity, gas water and waste services. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.3% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.7% for Education and training, and Health care and social assistance.