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MAY KEY FIGURES

The following table contains the key Average Weekly Earnings figures for the May 2018 reference period.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings survey is designed to measure the level of average earnings in Australia at a point in time. Movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by changes in both the level of earnings per employee and in the composition of the labour force. Factors which can contribute to compositional change include variations in the proportion of full-time, part-time, casual and junior employees; variations in the occupational distribution within and across industries; and variations in the distribution of employment between industries.

Table 1: Average Weekly Earnings, Key Figures, Australia, May 2018
		May 2018	May 2017 to May 2018
		$	% change
Trend(a)
	Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings	1 586.20	2.6
	Full-time adult average weekly total earnings	1 653.00	2.7
	All employees average weekly total earnings	1 206.90	2.4
Original
	Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings	1 585.30	2.7
	Full-time adult average weekly total earnings	1 650.60	2.8
	All employees average weekly total earnings	1 207.40	2.4
(a) For further information regarding Trend estimates, please refer to paragraphs 64 to 70 of Explanatory Notes.

• A Guide to Understanding Average Weekly Earnings Statistics. The article outlines the purpose of the Average Weekly Earnings collection and use of the data. The article also explains the relative strengths and limitations of AWE to ensure appropriate interpretation of the statistics.
• Average Weekly Earnings and Wage Price Index - What do they measure? The article outlines the purpose and key uses of Average Weekly Earnings and Wage Price Index collections, and explains how the two surveys can respond differently to economic events using hypothetical examples.