NOVEMBER KEY FIGURES

The following table contains the key Average Weekly Earnings figures for the November 2017 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, November 2017
		Nov 2017	Nov 2016 to Nov 2017
		$	% change
Trend(a)
	Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings	1 567.90	2.3
	Full-time adult average weekly total earnings	1 628.10	2.2
	All employees average weekly total earnings	1 191.70	2.2
Original
	Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings	1 569.60	2.4
	Full-time adult average weekly total earnings	1 632.10	2.3
	All employees average weekly total earnings	1 191.50	2.4
(a) For further information regarding Trend estimates, please refer to paragraphs 64 to 70 of Explanatory Notes.

TREND ESTIMATES

In the twelve months to November 2017, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings increased by 2.3% to $1,567.90.

The Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Total Earnings in November 2017 was $1,628.10, a rise of 2.2% from the same time last year.

To access the time series spreadsheets related to the measures presented above, please refer to the to the downloads tab at the top of the page.


FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE	Release Date
May 2018 November 2018	16 August 2018 21 February 2019

SAMPLE REDESIGN

Survey sample redesigns are undertaken periodically for all ABS business surveys. This is to ensure design parameters are up to date, the survey design is optimal, and estimates are of a high quality. The most recent sample redesign for Average Weekly Earnings was implemented for the November 2017 survey cycle. Differences as a result of implementation of the sample redesign have been assessed as insignificant and within current released standard errors for each series.


NOTES ON ESTIMATES

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ESTIMATES

In 2012, as part of the transition from a quarterly to a biannual frequency, the ABS conducted an assessment of seasonality in the biannual AWE series. At the time, it was determined that moving to a biannual frequency eliminated seasonality for most AWE series. For these series the seasonally adjusted estimate was exactly equal to the original estimate.

The latest annual review of seasonal adjustment parameters was undertaken for the November 2017 release and found there were some series for which the existing assumed seasonal behaviour was assessed to be insufficient to warrant seasonal adjustment for the most recent cycles. The relevant series are annotated in the time series spreadsheets available from the Downloads tab of this issue. See paragraphs 60 - 63 of the Explanatory Notes for further details on seasonal adjustment for AWE.


RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

• 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.

INQUIRIES

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