Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia

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Experimental weekly estimates on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on payroll jobs and wages, sourced from Single Touch Payroll data

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Reference period
Week ending 25 July 2020
Released
11/08/2020
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Key statistics

Between the week ending 14 March 2020 (the week Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case) and the week ending 25 July 2020:

 

  • Payroll jobs decreased by 4.5%
  • Total wages decreased by 4.8%
  1. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.

Key COVID-19 dates leading up to the week ending 25 July 2020:
 

  • 22 March: Prime Minister announces Stage 2 lock down changes, which are progressively implemented
  • 30 March: Prime Minister announces JobKeeper program
  • 8 May: Initial payroll deadline for the JobKeeper program
  • 8 May: Prime Minister announces RoadMap to a COVIDSafe Australia
  • 1 July: Stay at Home restrictions commence for selected Melbourne postcodes
  • 8 July: Stay at Home restrictions commence for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
  • 12 July: Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package ceased
  • 20 July: Altered eligibility for JobKeeper payments for child care providers in place
  • 21 July: Prime Minister announces changes to and extension of JobKeeper program
     

Key COVID-19 dates after the week ending 25 July 2020:
 

  • 5 August: Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and stage 3 restrictions in regional Victoria commence

State and territory

Since the week ending 14 March 2020 (the week Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case) the largest changes were:

  • Payroll jobs : Victoria decreased by 6.7% and Tasmania decreased by 5.8%
  • Total wages : Western Australia decreased by 6.9% and Tasmania decreased by 5.9%
     

Table 1 - Percentage change by states and territories

 Payroll jobsTotal wages
 Change between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 JulyChange between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 July
NSW0.2%-4.1%-0.4%-4.8%
Vic.-1.2%-6.7%-2.3%-5.0%
Qld0.6%-3.4%0.2%-3.6%
SA0.5%-4.2%0.1%-3.7%
WA-0.1%-2.0%0.2%-6.9%
Tas.0.3%-5.8%-0.5%-5.9%
NT-0.5%-3.1%-0.4%-3.9%
ACT-0.8%-4.5%-3.3%-3.6%
Australia-0.1%-4.5%-0.8%-4.8%

a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.

Sex and age group

Sex

Since the week ending 14 March 2020 (the week Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case) the largest changes were:

  • Payroll jobs : Those worked by males decreased by 4.8% and those worked by females decreased by 4.4%
  • Total wages : Payments to males decreased by 6.9% and payments to females decreased by 2.0%
     

Table 2 - Percentage change by sex

 Payroll jobsTotal wages
 Change between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 JulyChange between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 July
Males0.0%-4.8%-0.8%-6.9%
Females-0.3%-4.4%-0.7%-2.0%
All persons-0.1%-4.5%-0.8%-4.8%

a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.
 

  1. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.

Age group

Since the week ending 14 March 2020 (the week Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case), the largest changes were:

  • Payroll jobs : Those worked by people aged 70 and over decreased by 10.8% and those worked by people aged 20-29 decreased by 7.2%
  • Total wages : Payments to people aged under 20 increased by 17.7% and payments to people aged 60-69 decreased by 6.5%
     

Table 3 - Percentage change by age group (a)

 Payroll jobsTotal wages
 Change between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 JulyChange between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 July
Aged under 201.4%-0.7%-1.4%17.7%
20-29 year olds-0.5%-7.2%-0.8%-1.6%
30-39 year olds-0.1%-3.5%-0.5%-4.1%
40-49 year olds0.3%-2.4%-0.5%-6.3%
50-59 year olds0.3%-2.5%-0.6%-6.2%
60-69 year olds-0.1%-5.4%-1.4%-6.5%
Aged 70 years and over-0.9%-10.8%-3.1%-5.8%
All persons-0.1%-4.5%-0.8%-4.8%

a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.

Industry

Since the week ending 14 March 2020 (the week Australia recorded its 100th confirmed COVID-19 case) the largest changes were:

  • Payroll jobs : Accommodation and food services decreased by 17.9% and Arts and recreation services decreased by 15.1%
  • Total wages : Mining decreased by 19.9% and Accommodation and food services decreased by 14.5%
     

Table 4 - Percentage change by Industry

 Payroll jobsTotal wages
 Change between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 JulyChange between 11 July and 25 July (a)Change between 14 March and 25 July
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing-2.9%-10.1%-3.2%-8.4%
Mining0.8%0.2%1.4%-19.9%
Manufacturing0.9%-3.3%0.0%-8.5%
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services-1.3%0.8%-1.1%-0.7%
Construction-1.2%-5.8%-2.0%-7.8%
Wholesale Trade0.7%-3.2%0.1%-7.7%
Retail Trade0.4%-2.7%-1.6%-2.9%
Accommodation and Food Services-0.3%-17.9%-1.8%-14.5%
Transport, Postal and Warehousing1.7%-4.9%0.3%-11.1%
Information Media and Telecommunications0.4%-6.9%1.8%-7.0%
Financial and Insurance Services0.8%2.1%-1.8%-8.0%
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services-0.2%-8.1%-1.0%-8.7%
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services0.1%-3.7%0.2%1.3%
Administrative and Support Services-0.9%-7.2%-1.2%-5.1%
Public Administration and Safety0.3%1.7%-1.1%-1.3%
Education and Training-0.1%-5.5%-0.6%-2.3%
Health Care and Social Assistance-0.9%-0.3%-1.0%2.2%
Arts and Recreation Services-0.4%-15.1%-2.2%-9.1%
Other Services-1.4%-6.7%-1.3%-0.7%
All Industries-0.1%-4.5%-0.8%-4.8%

a. Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs and wages. For more information, please see the Data Limitations and Related Revisions technical note. Weekly change data are available in the Data downloads section.
 

Statistical Area 4 (SA4) - Payroll jobs

Payroll jobs by Statistical Area 4 (SA4) estimates will be updated through to the week ending 8 August as part of the release on Wednesday 26 August 2020.

The time series estimates up to the week ending 11 July 2020 (as released on 15 July) are available via Table 5 in the Data downloads section, presented as index values.

Statistical Area Level 4 (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).

For more information, see the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS): Volume 1 – Main Structure and Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (cat. no. 1270.0.55.001).

Industry sub-division - Payroll jobs

Payroll jobs by Industry sub-division estimates through to the week ending 25 July 2020 were added to this release on Wednesday 12 August 2020.

The time series estimates up to the week ending 25 July 2020 are available via Table 5 in the Data downloads section, presented as index values.

The sub-division level is the second broadest grouping of industries within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification. Industry sub-divisions are built up from the industry groups which, in turn, are built up from industry classes.

For more, information see the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (cat. no. 1292.0).

Table 5 - Percentage change in payroll jobs by Industry and sub-division (a)

 14 March to 25 July (Change since 100th case of COVID-19)27 June to 25 July (monthly change)
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing-10.1%-7.2%
 Agriculture-10.4%-8.1%
 Aquaculture-9.3%-1.5%
 Forestry and Logging-6.9%-5.1%
 Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (b)-12.2%-8.8%
 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Support Services-9.9%-4.2%
Mining0.2%4.4%
 Coal Mining1.2%0.4%
 Oil and Gas Extraction (b)-1.5%1.9%
 Metal Ore Mining-0.3%8.7%
 Non-metallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying-0.8%1.0%
 Exploration and Other Mining Support Services1.6%3.3%
Manufacturing-3.3%3.4%
 Food Product Manufacturing-3.4%5.9%
 Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing-10.8%6.6%
 Textile, Leather, Clothing and Footwear Manufacturing-11.3%-3.3%
 Wood Product Manufacturing-2.7%0.6%
 Pulp, Paper and Converted Paper Product Manufacturing-7.3%7.0%
 Printing (including the reproduction of recorded media)-5.6%-1.8%
 Petroleum and Coal Product Manufacturing-3.0%1.8%
 Basic Chemical and Chemical Product Manufacturing7.4%4.1%
 Polymer Product and Rubber Product Manufacturing-0.6%2.8%
 Non-metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing-5.5%1.9%
 Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing-1.2%3.8%
 Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing-2.6%2.9%
 Transport Equipment Manufacturing-5.8%3.5%
 Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing-2.5%2.5%
 Furniture and Other Manufacturing-3.4%3.3%
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services0.8%1.2%
 Electricity Supply0.6%-0.3%
 Gas Supply12.5%5.5%
 Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Services0.9%1.3%
 Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal Services-0.1%2.7%
Construction-5.8%-2.6%
 Building Construction-2.6%-0.2%
 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction-10.3%-3.1%
 Construction Services-5.7%-3.2%
Wholesale-3.2%2.8%
 Basic Material Wholesaling-1.8%4.1%
 Machinery and Equipment Wholesaling-1.5%3.7%
 Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling-4.0%7.8%
 Grocery, Liquor and Tobacco Product Wholesaling-6.4%0.0%
 Other Goods Wholesaling-4.9%1.9%
 Commission-based Wholesaling-3.6%-5.4%
Retail Trade-2.7%1.0%
 Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Retailing-5.4%0.2%
 Fuel Retailing5.5%7.0%
 Food Retailing-2.0%-0.6%
 Other Store-based Retailing-2.8%1.6%
 Non-store Retailing and Retail Commission Based Buying and/or Selling-8.3%-0.2%
Accommodation and Food Services-17.9%1.2%
 Accommodation-21.3%7.4%
 Food and Beverage Services-17.4%0.4%
Transport, Postal and Warehousing-4.9%2.4%
 Road Transport-5.6%-1.2%
 Rail Transport (b)2.4%25.4%
 Water Transport (b)-8.4%16.3%
 Air and Space Transport-6.8%4.4%
 Other Transport-17.4%0.4%
 Postal and Courier Pick-up and Delivery Services-2.5%0.2%
 Transport Support Services-5.5%1.0%
 Warehousing and Storage Services-4.9%2.7%
Information, Media and Telecommunications-6.9%0.6%
 Publishing (except Internet and Music Publishing)-7.8%-1.2%
 Motion Picture and Sound Recording Activities-20.8%3.8%
 Broadcasting (except Internet)-9.8%-3.9%
 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting-1.4%0.4%
 Telecommunications Services0.0%0.3%
 Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals and Data Processing Services-1.5%9.4%
 Library and Other Information Services-7.9%-6.0%
Financial and Insurance Services2.1%2.3%
 Finance2.2%3.4%
 Insurance and Superannuation Funds0.7%-0.3%
 Auxiliary Finance and Insurance Services2.6%1.9%
Rental, Hiring and Leasing Services-8.1%-1.6%
 Rental and Hiring Services (except Real Estate)-5.7%1.2%
 Property Operators and Real Estate Services-9.3%-3.0%
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services-3.7%0.3%
 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (except Computer System Design and Related Services-4.4%-0.1%
 Computer System Design and Related Services-1.2%1.8%
Administrative and Support Services-7.2%-2.4%
 Administrative Services-7.4%-1.4%
 Building Cleaning, Pest Control and Other Support Services-6.0%-7.3%
Public Administration and Safety1.7%1.3%
 Public Administration2.5%1.3%
 Public Order, Safety and Regulatory Services-0.3%1.3%
Education and Training-5.5%-2.6%
 Preschool and School Education-3.4%-1.1%
 Tertiary Education-6.1%-5.3%
 Adult, Community and Other Education-16.5%-2.6%
Health Care and Social Assistance-0.3%-2.4%
 Hospitals2.7%-2.6%
 Medical and Other Health Care Services-2.8%-0.6%
 Residential Care Services-1.7%-4.1%
 Social Assistance Services-0.8%-2.5%
Arts and Recreation Services-15.1%6.3%
 Heritage Activities-2.1%4.8%
 Creative and Performing Arts Activities-26.0%0.5%
 Sports and Recreation Activities-17.1%10.2%
 Gambling Activities-6.5%-1.3%
Other Services-6.7%-2.7%
 Repair and Maintenance-4.6%-2.6%
 Personal and Other Services-7.8%-2.8%
 Private Households Employing Staff and Undifferentiated Goods and Service Producing Activities of Household for Own Use (b)0.4%-9.1%
All Industries-4.5%-0.1%

a. Industry subdivision level estimates are subject to a higher degree of reporting volatility and revisions than industry division level estimates.
b. Particular care should be exercised in using this estimate, which is expected to be subject to a high degree of revision in the next release.

Data downloads

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These downloads are currently available in an Excel file format that may not be accessible for users of assistive devices, such as screen readers. Contact us and we can discuss the best way to meet your needs.

Table 1: National spotlight

Data files
Download xlsx [83.29 KB]

Table 2: State and territory spotlight

Data files
Download xlsx [358.87 KB]

Table 3: Industry spotlight

Data files
Download xlsx [644.73 KB]

Table 4: Payroll jobs and wages indexes

Payroll jobs index by Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) and Payroll jobs index by Industry Subdivision which were previously included in this data cube are now released separately in Table 5.

Data files
Download xlsx [2.21 MB]

Table 5: Statistical Area 4 and Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs indices

Payroll jobs index by Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) and Payroll jobs index by Industry Subdivision which were previously included in Table 4 are now released separately in this data cube.

Data files
Download xlsx [541.81 KB]

History of changes

Show all

12/08/2020 - Updated estimates of Jobs by Industry Sub-Division and associated data cube added.

Methodology

Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia methodology, Week ending 25 July 2020

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