COMMENTARY


WAGE PRICE INDEXES

Australia/Sector (trend)

In the December quarter 2015, the Private sector index rose 0.5% and the Public sector rose 0.6%. The All sectors quarterly rise was 0.5%.

The Private sector through the year rise to the December quarter 2015 of 2.0% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.6%. Through the year, All sectors rose 2.2%.


Australia/Sector (seasonally adjusted)

In the December quarter 2015, the Private sector, Public sector and All sectors indexes rose 0.5%.

Through the year, All sectors rose 2.2%, the lowest rate of wages growth recorded since the start of the series in 1998. The Private sector through the year rise to the December quarter 2015 of 2.0% was smaller than the Public sector rise of 2.6%.


Australia/Sector (original)

Wages grew 0.4% in the December quarter 2015 for All sectors. The Private sector rose 0.4% and the Public sector rose 0.5% in the December quarter 2015.

The All sectors through the year rise was 2.1%. The Private sector rose 2.0% and the Public sector 2.5%. The All sectors and Private sector wages growth is the lowest since the start of the WPI series.


State/Territory (original)

In the December quarter 2015, the largest quarterly rise of 0.7% was recorded by South Australia. Tasmania recorded the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%.

Rises through the year ranged from 1.6% for the Australian Capital Territory to 2.4% for Victoria and the Northern Territory.

In the Private sector, the quarterly rise for Victoria of 0.5% was the largest quarterly rise of all states and territories. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.5% for Western Australia to 2.4% for Tasmania. Western Australia, for the fourth quarter in a row has recorded through the year wages growth below 2.0%.

In the Public sector, South Australia recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.6%, with Tasmania recording the smallest quarterly rise of 0.1%. The Northern Territory recorded the largest through the year Public sector rise of all states and territories, 3.5%. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the smallest through the year rise of 1.3%. Public sector wages growth is being influenced by changes in the timing of pay increases and the size of increases awarded under Enterprise Agreements.


Industry (original)



In the December quarter 2015, wages growth slowed across most industries when compared to the same quarter last year. The smallest quarterly rise for all industries of 0.1% was recorded by Mining and Administrative and support services. Financial and insurance services recorded the largest quarterly rise of all industries, 1.1%.

The All industries through the year rises for the December quarter 2015 ranged from 1.4% for Administrative and support services to 2.8% for Financial and insurance services. In Mining, Electricity, gas, water and waste services, Construction and Administrative and support services wages grew over the last year at the lowest rate since the commencement of the series.

In the Private sector, Information Media and telecommunication services and Financial and insurance services recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.0%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.1% was recorded by Mining, Administrative and support services and Public administration and safety. Rises through the year in the Private sector ranged from 1.4% for Administrative and support services to 2.7% for Electricity, gas water and waste services and Financial and insurance services.

In the Public sector, Education and training recorded the largest quarterly rise of 0.6%. The smallest quarterly rise of 0.2% was recorded by Professional, scientific and technical services. Rises through the year in the Public sector ranged from 1.5% for Professional, scientific and technical services to 2.9% for Education and training.