COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the September quarter 2013, the Private sector index rose by 0.7% and the Public sector index rose at a slower rate of 0.5%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.6%.

The Private sector rise through the year to the September quarter 2013 was 2.8%, this was larger than the Public sector rise of 2.6%. Through the year the trend All sectors index rose 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

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

For the fifth consecutive quarter through the year wages growth has eased. Wages have risen 2.7% through the year to the September quarter 2013.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages rose by 1.0% in the September quarter 2013 for both the Private sector and All sectors, an increase in the rate of growth over last quarter but the lowest September quarter rise for four years. The Public sector saw a quarterly rise of 0.9%, which was the smallest quarterly rise in a September quarter since 1999.

The rate of wages growth in the September quarter 2013 for the Private sector, Public sector and All sectors through the year continued to slow, with Private sector and All sectors rising by 2.7% and the Public sector rising 2.6%.


State/Territory (original)

In the Private sector, South Australia recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.6% and New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory all recorded a quarterly rise of 0.9%. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 2.4% for Tasmania to 3.5% for South Australia.

The largest quarterly Public sector rise across all states and territories was 1.6% for the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.4%.

The largest through the year rise of all states and territories, Public sector, was recorded by Western Australia, 4.1%. In contrast, the smallest through the year rise was in New South Wales at 2.0%.


Industry (original)



In the September quarter 2013, Public administration and safety recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.6% for All sectors. The smallest quarterly rise for All sectors of 0.2% was recorded by Financial and insurance services.

The All sectors through the year rises to the September quarter 2013 ranged from 1.9% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 3.4% for Electricity, gas, water and waste services.

In the Private sector, the Manufacturing, Retail trade and Education and Training industries saw larger quarterly rises in the current quarter than in the September quarter 2012. All other industries showed the same or smaller rises when compared to the quarterly changes in the year before.

Through the year to the September quarter 2013 there were no rises above 4.0% in any industry in the Private sector. The last time this occurred was in the June quarter 2010.

In the Public sector Professional, scientific and technical services recorded the largest quarterly rise of 2.0%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.3% was recorded by Education and training.


National Minimum Wage Increase

A national minimum wage increase of 2.6% with effect from 1 July 2013 was granted by Fair Work Australia in June 2013. This increase in minimum wage rates impacted the wage price index (WPI) in the September quarter 2013.