NAME OF COLLECTION
Average Weekly Earnings Survey
Contact
Manager
Labour Statistics Centre Output Group
Australian Bureau of Statistics
GPO Box K881
PERTH WA 6001
Telephone: Perth 08 9360 5304
Facsimile: Perth 08 9360 5954
Email: client.services@abs.gov.au
Web site: <www.abs.gov.au>
Purpose
To estimate the average weekly earnings of employees (excluding those employed in private agriculture) in Australia.
Description
The quarterly survey of Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) measures the average weekly earnings of employed wage and salary earners (excluding those employed in private agriculture). It collects employment and earnings data from a sample of businesses taken from the ABS register of businesses. The data is used to estimate the average weekly earnings of employees in Australia. Estimates of average weekly ordinary time and total earnings are available for full-time adult employees and total earnings are available for all employees and are classified by sector, state or territory, industry and sex. Estimates of AWE were originally calculated using data from the payroll tax system (and other sources). Following the decision to stop using payroll tax data, the AWE sample survey was introduced in September 1981 to collect data on average earnings.
The purpose of the collection is to estimate the average weekly earnings of employees in Australia. The AWE series is used by a large number of users in both Commonwealth and State government departments, employer associations, and trade unions.
Uses of the data include:
- To adjust payments specified in government legislation, both state and federal;
- In escalation clauses in business contracts;
- In economic and labour market analysis by both government and private organisations; and
- In representations in the award and wage case submission process.
All wage and salary earners who received pay for the reference period are represented in the survey, except certain categories of employees (e.g. members of the Australian permanent defence forces and employees of enterprises primarily engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing).
In addition, certain categories of persons who are not regarded as employees for the purposes of this survey are excluded (e.g. directors who are not paid a salary and proprietors/partners of unincorporated businesses).
Main data detail
Employees: average weekly earnings, by state or territory, by industry, by sector and by sex.
Note :
- Earnings are classified into 'ordinary time earnings' and 'total earnings' (i.e. including overtime);
- Employees are classified into 'full-time adult' and 'other'; and
- Trend estimates, seasonally adjusted estimates and original estimates are available.
Geographic coverage
Australia. Some state and territory data relevant to the mining industry are available on request.
Frequency of data availability
Quarterly.
Reference period
Last pay period ending on or before the third Friday in the middle month of the quarter.
Historical data
Data are available from November 1983.
Products and services
Publications
Other
- Special data services are available on request.
Example of information available
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 2002: ORIGINAL
 | | Mining
$ | All industries
$ |
|
| Males | | | |
| Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | 1,403.90 | 910.50 |
| Full-time adult total earnings | 1,553.60 | 961.80 |
| All males total earnings | 1,520.80 | 823.30 |
| Females | | | |
| Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | 1043.00 | 772.10 |
| Full-time adult total earnings | 1,061.40 | 783.80 |
| All females total earnings | 972.60 | 543.10 |
| Persons | | | |
| Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | 1,370.50 | 860.50 |
| Full-time adult total earnings | 1,508.00 | 897.50 |
| All employees total earnings | 1,463.70 | 687.60 |
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