Total wages decreased by 1.0%. The largest changes were in:
- Western Australia (up 2.7%)
- Mining (up 11.1%)
Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia
This is not the latest release View the latest release
Experimental estimates on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on payroll jobs and wages, sourced from Single Touch Payroll (STP) data
Reference period
Week ending 13 March 2021
Released
30/03/2021
Key statistics
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021, payroll jobs increased 0.2%. The largest changes were in:
- Western Australia and the Northern Territory (both up 0.7%)
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing (down 3.2%)
National
Between the weeks ending 14 March 2020 and 13 March 2021:
- Payroll jobs increased by 0.2%
- Total wages increased by 1.4%
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021:
- Payroll jobs increased by 0.2%, compared to an increase of 0.9% in the previous fortnight
- Total wages paid decreased by 1.0%, compared to an increase of 0.9% in the previous fortnight
- Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads.
State and territory
Since the week ending 14 March 2020 the largest changes across states and territories were:
Payroll jobs:
- Northern Territory increased by 3.6%
- Western Australia increased by 2.5%
Total wages:
- Northern Territory increased by 4.9%
- South Australia increased by 2.8%
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021 the largest changes were:
Payroll jobs:
- Western Australia and the Northern Territory both increased by 0.7%
- Queensland increased by 0.5%
Total wages:
- Western Australia increased by 2.7%
- Northern Territory increased by 2.5%
| Payroll jobs | Total wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | |
| New South Wales | 0.2% | 0.0% | -1.9% | 0.3% |
| Victoria | -0.1% | -0.7% | -1.9% | 2.2% |
| Queensland | 0.5% | 0.2% | -0.6% | 1.1% |
| South Australia | -0.1% | 1.8% | -1.0% | 2.8% |
| Western Australia | 0.7% | 2.5% | 2.7% | 2.4% |
| Tasmania | -0.4% | -1.1% | -0.6% | -0.1% |
| Northern Territory | 0.7% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 4.9% |
| Australian Capital Territory | 0.0% | 0.6% | -2.3% | 1.5% |
| Australia | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1.0% | 1.4% |
a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions. Weekly change data are available in Data downloads.
Sub-state - payroll jobs
Time series estimates of payroll jobs by sub-state regions, Statistical Area 4 (SA4) and Statistical Area 3 (SA3), are presented as index values through to the week ending 27 February 2021 in Table 5 of the Data downloads. These estimates are only updated in alternate releases.
SA4 regions
SA4 regions are specifically designed to reflect labour markets within each state and territory within population limits. In regional areas, SA4s tend to have lower populations (100,000 to 300,000), while in metropolitan areas, SA4s tend to have larger populations (300,000 to 500,000).
SA3 regions
SA3 regions generally have populations between 30,000 and 130,000 persons. They are often the functional areas of regional towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, or clusters of related suburbs around urban commercial and transport hubs within the major urban areas.
Interactive maps
Interactive maps of SA4 and SA3 regions present change in payroll jobs from the week ending 14 March 2020 for each week up to the week ending 27 February 2021. Map data are updated in alternate releases to coincide with the availability of sub-state estimates.
Percentage change values can differ between sub-state and state and territory regions. State and territory totals include records with 'unknown' sub-state characteristics. The differences may increase in size in finer levels of data. For more information, see the Data components, totals and index calculation section of Data limitations and revisions.
SA4 and SA3 boundaries presented accord with the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, Volume 1 - Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, July 2016.
How to use the interactive map:
- Select: Geographical area can be selected using the Statistical Area 3 (SA3) or Statistical Area 4 (SA4) upper tabs.
- Search: the magnifying glass icon opens the search function. It is set to look for locations such as addresses, suburbs and postcodes contained within an SA4 or SA3 region.
- Reference week: the date slider at the bottom of the map can be moved to select a particular week of interest, or see changes over time.
- Data: on the relevant map, an SA4 or SA3 can be selected to view the underlying data. The time series index estimates for SA4 and SA3s can be found in Table 5 of the Data downloads.
- If the maps do not load successfully, please try refreshing the page.
Sex
Since the week ending 14 March 2020:
Payroll jobs:
- Worked by males decreased by 2.3%
- Worked by females decreased by 0.6%
Total wages:
- Payments to females increased by 3.1%
- Payments to males decreased by 0.8%
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021:
Payroll jobs:
- Worked by females increased by 0.4%
- Worked by males decreased by 0.1%
Total wages:
- Payments to males decreased by 1.3%
- Payments to females decreased by 0.6%
| Payroll jobs | Total wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | |
| Males | -0.1% | -2.3% | -1.3% | -0.8% |
| Females | 0.4% | -0.6% | -0.6% | 3.1% |
| All persons (b) | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1.0% | 1.4% |
a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads.
b. Indexes for males and females can move independently from All persons indexes due to the inclusion of persons with 'unknown' sex in the calculation of the All persons index. For more information see the Data components, total and index calculation section in Data limitations and revisions.
- Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.
Age group
Since the week ending 14 March 2020 the largest changes across age groups were:
Payroll jobs:
- Worked by people aged 70 years and over increased by 5.6%
- Worked by people aged aged 60-69 increased by 5.3%
Total wages:
- Payments to people aged 70 years and over increased by 9.2%
- Payments to people aged 60-69 increased by 6.4%
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021 the largest changes across age groups were:
Payroll jobs:
- Worked by people aged 70 years and over increased by 1.7%
- Worked by people aged 60-69 increased by 1.6%
Total wages:
- Payments to people aged 15-19 decreased by 2.7%
- Payments to people aged 30-39 decreased by 1.3%
| Payroll jobs | Total wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | |
| 15-19 year olds | 0.1% | -0.5% | -2.7% | 3.3% |
| 20-29 year olds | 0.2% | -0.9% | -1.1% | 1.5% |
| 30-39 year olds | 0.0% | 0.8% | -1.3% | 1.5% |
| 40-49 year olds | 0.2% | 0.7% | -1.0% | 0.4% |
| 50-59 year olds | 0.6% | 1.7% | -0.1% | 1.8% |
| 60-69 year olds | 1.6% | 5.3% | 0.5% | 6.4% |
| Aged 70 years and over | 1.7% | 5.6% | 0.4% | 9.2% |
| All persons | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1.0% | 1.4% |
a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions. Weekly change data are available in Data downloads.
5 year age groups
Time series estimates of payroll jobs by 5 year age groups (presented as index values) up to the week ending 13 March 2021 are available in Table 8 of the Data downloads.
Industry
Since the week ending 14 March 2020 the largest changes across industry were:
Payroll jobs:
- Accommodation and food services decreased by 11.1%
- Information media and telecommunications decreased by 9.2%
Total wages:
- Transport, postal and warehousing decreased by 8.3%
- Accommodation and food services decreased by 8.1%
Between the weeks ending 27 February and 13 March 2021 the largest changes across industry were:
Payroll jobs:
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing decreased by 3.2%
- Information media and telecommunications decreased by 2.5%
Total wages:
- Mining increased by 11.1%
- Information media and telecommunications decreased by 8.3%
| Payroll jobs | Total wages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 (a) | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | -3.2% | -5.3% | -3.3% | -0.5% |
| Mining (b) | 0.6% | -0.8% | 11.1% | -4.2% |
| Manufacturing | -0.5% | -3.4% | -1.5% | -2.2% |
| Electricity, gas, water and waste services | 0.1% | 2.3% | 0.9% | 7.3% |
| Construction | -0.6% | -3.8% | -0.8% | -3.1% |
| Wholesale trade | -0.3% | -3.4% | -1.1% | -3.6% |
| Retail trade | 1.9% | -0.7% | 1.7% | 1.5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0.9% | -11.1% | 0.8% | -8.1% |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | -0.3% | -6.4% | -0.5% | -8.3% |
| Information media and telecommunications | -2.5% | -9.2% | -8.3% | -3.4% |
| Financial and insurance services | 0.1% | 6.2% | -4.0% | 0.5% |
| Rental, hiring and real estate services | -0.6% | -3.3% | -5.4% | -0.6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | -2.1% | -2.6% | -3.9% | 0.2% |
| Administrative and support services | 0.9% | 2.4% | -3.6% | 5.3% |
| Public administration and safety | 0.9% | 8.6% | -0.7% | 4.9% |
| Education and training | 2.3% | -2.5% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0.4% | 3.5% | -0.1% | 5.0% |
| Arts and recreation services | 0.1% | -0.7% | -4.6% | 0.9% |
| Other services | -1.0% | -2.0% | -0.3% | 3.3% |
| All industries | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1.0% | 1.4% |
a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. Weekly change data are available in Data downloads.
b. The Mining industry wages estimates in March and September may include annual bonuses. Please refer to the seasonality section in Data limitations and revisions for further information.
Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs
Updated estimates of payroll jobs by industry subdivision were updated through to the week ending 13 March 2021, as part of this release on Wednesday 31 March 2021.
Time series estimates of payroll jobs by industry subdivision (presented as index values) up to the week ending 13 March 2021 are available in Table 6 of the Data downloads. These estimates are only updated in alternate releases.
The subdivision level is the second broadest grouping of industries within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification. Industry subdivisions are built up from the industry groups which, in turn, are built up from industry classes.
Employment size
The following experimental estimates present payroll jobs by employment size between the weeks ending 14 March 2020 and 13 March 2021.
Care should be exercised when focusing on recent movements in payroll jobs by employment size, as they are subject to higher than usual levels of revision (over a longer period) than other estimates. This is particularly the case for small employers (with under 20 employees). Further information is presented on the impact of revisions to the small employers (under 20 employees) index in the Data limitations and revisions section of the Methodology (under Variation in revisions).
| Change between 27 Feb 2021 and 13 Mar 2021 | Change between 14 Mar 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 20 employees | New South Wales | -2.3% | -4.2% |
| Victoria | -2.5% | -4.0% | |
| Queensland | -1.5% | -0.9% | |
| South Australia | -1.5% | 0.6% | |
| Western Australia | -1.5% | 1.8% | |
| Tasmania | -1.4% | -1.9% | |
| Northern Territory | -0.8% | 3.9% | |
| Australian Capital Territory | -3.3% | -1.9% | |
| Australia | -2.1% | -2.4% | |
| 20-199 employees | New South Wales | -0.6% | -3.3% |
| Victoria | -0.3% | -4.0% | |
| Queensland | -0.2% | -1.7% | |
| South Australia | -0.3% | -1.3% | |
| Western Australia | -0.3% | -0.1% | |
| Tasmania | -0.5% | -5.4% | |
| Northern Territory | 0.5% | 0.0% | |
| Australian Capital Territory | -1.1% | -2.1% | |
| Australia | -0.4% | -2.7% | |
| 200 employees and over | New South Wales | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| Victoria | 1.3% | 0.3% | |
| Queensland | 1.8% | -1.5% | |
| South Australia | 0.9% | 1.3% | |
| Western Australia | 2.3% | 1.6% | |
| Tasmania | 0.2% | -1.1% | |
| Northern Territory | 1.7% | 3.6% | |
| Australian Capital Territory | 1.7% | 0.6% | |
| Australia | 1.7% | 0.4% |
a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs. For more information, please see Data limitations and revisions.
Employment size source
Employment size variables were determined from ABS Business Register data. The ABS Business Register is populated using administrative data from the Australian Business Register (ABR) and business data from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Data on the structures of large and complex businesses are also collected by ABS. The ABS Business Register is updated regularly and a frame of business, containing business characteristic information, is produced quarterly for use in the production of statistics.
The March 2020 quarterly frame was used to determine employment size for businesses reporting their payroll via STP and subsequently allocate their reported payroll jobs against. Once a payroll job is allocated to an employment size category, it is held constant against that category over time. By using the March 2020 quarter frame and holding employment size categorisation constant, the ABS is able to present information about the change in payroll jobs based on the employment size of businesses before Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case on 14 March 2020.
Businesses which are newly created after March 2020 are unable to be assigned a size and are subsequently excluded from the index calculation of employment size groups. These 'new' businesses are included in the calculation of all sizes category (for state and territory, and national level estimates). The number of STP reporting businesses 'born' since Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 in March 2020 is considered small, hence their exclusion is expected to have minimal impact on the estimates. The ABS exploring how to incorporate newly created businesses into the employment size estimates and may include them in a future release.
Data downloads
Table 1: National spotlight
Data files
Table 2: State and territory spotlight
Data files
Table 3: Industry spotlight
Data files
Table 4: Payroll jobs and wages indexes
Data files
Table 5: Sub-state - Payroll jobs indexes
These estimates are updated in alternate releases. They were last updated on Wednesday 17 March 2021 and will be next updated on Wednesday 14 April 2021.
Table 6: Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs indexes
These estimates are updated in alternate releases, and were updated to the week ending 13 March 2021 on Wednesday 31 March 2021.
Data files
Table 7: Employer characteristics - Payroll jobs index
Previously titled Employment size - Payroll jobs index
Data files
Table 8: Jobholder characteristics - Payroll jobs index
Contains estimates of payroll jobs by 5 year age groups, available in this release since 3 March 2021.
Data files
All data cubes
Updated to include Table 6 as released on Wednesday 31 March 2021
Data files
Changes in this release
The following section was updated in this release:
- Data downloads: From this release, data downloads for sub-state and industry subdivision will only be added when updated data are available, in alternate releases.
Post-release changes
31 March 2021: Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs indexes (Table 6 of the Data downloads) were updated to the week ending 13 March 2021.
Previous articles
Previously published articles and information of interest are linked below:
- Year-end data variability provides some context on seasonality and seasonal variation
- Secondary jobs provides insight into multiple jobholders
- Incorporating JobKeeper supported payments into Weekly payroll jobs and wages in Australia describes how JobKeeper payments are included
Previous catalogue number
This release previously used catalogue number 6160.0.55.001.