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The Wage Cost Index measures changes in the wage and salary cost of a representative 'basket of jobs' over time, unaffected by changes in the quality and quantity of work performed.
Data detail
There are four sets of quarterly indexes compiled:
ordinary time hourly rates of pay
- excluding bonuses
- including bonuses
total hourly rates of pay
- excluding bonuses
- including bonuses
The four component sets of indexes together comprise the wage cost index. Within each type, separate indexes will be released for various combinations:
State/Territory
private and public sector
broad industry groups
broad occupation groups
Geographic coverage
State
Frequency
Quarterly
Historical data
From December 1997. Note: Prior to December quarter 1997, information was collected through the Award Rates of Pay Indexes.
Products and services available
- Publications
Wage Cost Index, Australia (6345.0) Information Paper: Wage Cost Index, Australia (6346.0)
- Other
The ABS can make available certain data which are not contained in publications. A large range of unpublished labour costs data are available as customised reports. Data can be transferred to various spreadsheet packages such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel. For more information, please contact our Information Services team.
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