COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the December quarter 2013, the Private sector index rose by 0.6% and the Public sector index rose at a faster rate of 0.7%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the December quarter 2013 of 2.5% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.6%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.5%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

The All sectors seasonally adjusted quarterly rise of 0.7% in the December quarter 2013 was larger than the rise of 0.5% in the September quarter 2013.

For the sixth consecutive quarter through the year wages growth has eased. Wages rose 2.6% through the year to the December quarter 2013, the smallest rise since the Wage Price Index commenced in 1997.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose by 0.5% in the December quarter 2013 for All sectors, the smallest December quarter rise since the series began. The Private sector rose 0.5% in the December quarter 2013, smaller than the Public sector rise of 0.8%.

The All sectors through the year rise of 2.5% was the smallest rise ever recorded in the Wage Price Index series. The rate of wages growth through the year continued to slow for the Private sector in December quarter 2013, rising 2.5%. The Public sector rise through the year to December 2013 was 2.8%


State/Territory (original)

In the December quarter 2013, South Australia recorded the largest quarterly All sectors rise of 0.8% and Tasmania the smallest rise of 0.3%.

The All sectors rises for New South Wales and South Australia were larger in the current quarter than in the December quarter 2012. All other states and territories recorded smaller rises compared to the quarterly changes the year before.

Rises through the year ranged from 2.2% for Tasmania to 3.5% for South Australia.

Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory all recorded their smallest through the year rises since the commencement of the Wage Price Index.

In the Private sector, the Northern Territory recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.7%, and Tasmania recorded the smallest rise of 0.2%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.1% for Tasmania to 3.4% for South Australia.

In the Public sector, the quarterly rise for South Australia of 1.4% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.3%. The largest through the year rise of all states and territories in the Public sector was recorded by South Australia, 3.8%. The smallest through the year rise for the Public sector of 1.6% was recorded by the Northern Territory.


Industry (original)




In the December quarter 2013, Information media and telecommunications recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.2% for All sectors. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.0% was recorded by the Other services industry.

The All sectors through the year rises to the December quarter 2013 ranged from 1.6% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.3% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services. The 1.6% through the year rise for Professional, scientific and technical services was the smallest through the year rise for this industry since the Wage Price Index series began.

Wages growth in the Mining industry has slowed through the year from a rise of 5.1% in the December quarter 2012 to 3.1% in the December quarter 2013.

The All sectors rise for Education and training was larger in the current quarter than in the December quarter 2012. All other industries showed the same or smaller rises when compared to the quarterly changes in the year before.

In the Private sector, Information media and telecommunications recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.2%, and Other services recorded the smallest rise of 0.1%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.6% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.4% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.

In the Public sector, Electricity, gas, water and waste services and Health care and social assistance recorded the largest quarterly rises of 1.0%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.4% was recorded by Professional, scientific and technical services. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 2.4% for Health care and social assistance to 3.3% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.