Average Weekly Earnings, Australia

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This biannual survey contains estimates of average weekly ordinary time and total earnings classified by sector, state/territory and industry

Reference period
November 2019
Released
20/02/2020

Key statistics

  • Full-time adult average weekly earnings rose by 3.2% to $1,658.70.
  • Male average weekly earnings: $1,921.00 (public), and $1,718.20 (private).
  • Female average weekly earnings: $1,715.00 (public), $1,423.00 (private).
  • The mining industry had the highest average weekly earnings at $2,616.90. 

Main features

November key figures

The following table contains the key Average Weekly Earnings figures for the November 2019 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 employment. 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 2019

  November 2019Nov 2018 to Nov 2019
  $% change
Trend(a)  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 658.703.2
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 720.903.1
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 256.202.6
Original  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 658.403.3
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 722.803.3
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 257.002.6

a. For further information regarding Trend estimates, please refer to paragraphs 64 to 70 of Explanatory Notes on the Methodology.
 

Trend estimates

In the twelve months to November 2019, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings increased by 3.2% to $1,658.70.

The Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Total Earnings in November 2019 was $1,720.90, an increase of 3.1% from the same time last year.

To access the time series spreadsheets related to the measures presented above, please refer to the to the Data downloads section.

Recent feature articles

Australia

Table 2 below presents the trend estimates of the key Average Weekly Earnings, Australia series. Trend estimates are obtained by removing calendar related effects and irregular components from the data. They are considered a reliable guide to the underlying direction of the series.

Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings between November 2018 and November 2019 rose by 3.2% to $1,658.70.

Table 2 - Average weekly earnings, Australia, trend(a), November 2019

  November 2019Nov 2018 to Nov 2019
  $% change
Males  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 751.403.2
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 839.703.1
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 497.402.5
Females  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 508.503.5
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 529.203.4
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 027.603.2
Persons  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 658.703.2
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 720.903.1
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 256.202.6

a. For further information regarding Trend estimates, please refer to paragraphs 64 to 70 of the Explanatory Notes on the Methodology page.
 

Original series data presented below has not been adjusted to remove the effects of either seasonal or irregular influences. Compared with November 2018, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings rose by 3.3% to $1,658.40, in original terms.

Table 3 - Average weekly earnings, Australia, original, November 2019

  November 2019Nov 2018 to Nov 2019
  $% change
Males  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 750.803.2
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 842.203.2
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 498.202.6
Females  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 508.303.6
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 528.903.5
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 027.803.2
Persons  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 658.403.3
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 722.803.3
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 257.002.6

It is important to note that while Average Weekly Earnings data can be used to compare, at the very broad level, average earnings between males and females, such comparisons do not take into account a range of compositional differences. For example, differences in occupation or hours worked which contribute significantly to the differences observed between male and female earnings. Details of occupation and hours worked are not collected in the Average Weekly Earnings survey. For further comparisons between male and female wages, including hourly rates and by occupation, refer to Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia (cat. no. 6306.0).

For further earnings information related to industry, including a breakdown by sex, please refer to the time series spreadsheets in the Data downloads section.

Private and public sector earnings

In November 2019, the Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,812.20 in the Public sector. Private sector Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,617.30.

Table 4 - Average weekly earnings, by sector, original, November 2019

  November 2019Nov 2018 to Nov 2019
  $% change
Australia  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 658.403.3
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 722.803.3
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 257.002.6
Private Sector  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 617.303.4
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 684.003.5
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 199.902.6
Public Sector  
 Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings1 812.202.6
 Full-time adult average weekly total earnings1 867.802.5
 All employees average weekly total earnings1 506.102.6


Looking at Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings for November 2019 in more detail:

  • the Full-Time Adult Male Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,921.00 in the Public sector, and $1,718.20 in the Private sector; and
  • the Full-Time Adult Female Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,715.00 in the Public sector, and $1,423.00 in the Private sector.
     

Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full time adults by sector, original


For further earnings information related to sector, including a breakdown by sex, and estimates in Trend and Seasonally Adjusted terms, please refer to the time series spreadsheets in the Data downloads section.

Industry earnings

In November 2019, employees in the Mining industry had the highest Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings in Australia at $2,616.90. The industry with the lowest level of Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was the Accommodation and food services industry ($1,179.20).

Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full time adults by industry, original


For further earnings information related to industry, including a breakdown by sex, please refer to the time series spreadsheets in the in the Data downloads section.

State and territory earnings

In November 2019, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was highest for the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia at $1,829.80 and $1,777.80 respectively.

Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full time adults by state, original


For further earnings information related to States and Territories, including detailed breakdown by sex, please refer to the time series spreadsheets in the in the Data downloads section.

Average weekly cash earnings

Commentary in the other sections of this release relates exclusively to estimates of employee earnings excluding amounts salary sacrificed. This section includes information on Average Weekly Cash Earnings (AWCE), which provides estimates of employee earnings including amounts salary sacrificed.

Salary sacrifice is defined as an arrangement where an employee agrees to forgo part of his or her salary in return for benefits of a similar value. Common types of salary sacrifice arrangements include pre-tax contributions to superannuation funds and novated leases for motor vehicles.

In November 2019, on average, full-time adult employees in Australia salary sacrificed $47.80 (Full-time adult ordinary time cash earnings $1,706.20 minus Full-time adult ordinary time earnings $1,658.40). This is an increase of $1.00 from May 2019.

Amounts salary sacrificed by an employee can be affected by a change in his or her earnings (for example, an increase in the level of overtime worked or commissions earned). Additionally, some employees sacrifice more of their salary at the beginning of the financial year and then the amount tapers off towards the end of the year when he or she has reached the concessional contributions cap for salary sacrificing superannuation. For other employees, the amount of salary sacrificed increases towards the end of the financial year to ensure the cap is reached. A feature article examining Salary Sacrifice arrangements of Australian employees was published in the November 2012 AWE release.

For further earnings information related to Average Weekly Cash Earnings, please refer to the data cubes in the Data downloads section.

Inquiries

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Data downloads - time series spreadsheets

Table 1. Average weekly earnings, Australia (dollars) - trend

Table 2. Average weekly earnings, Australia (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 3. Average weekly earnings, Australia (dollars) - original

Table 4. Average weekly earnings, private sector - Australia (dollars) - trend

Table 5. Average weekly earnings, private sector - Australia (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 6. Average weekly earnings, private sector - Australia (dollars) - original

Table 7. Average weekly earnings, public sector - Australia (dollars) - trend

Table 8. Average weekly earnings, public sector - Australia (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 9. Average weekly earnings, public sector - Australia (dollars) - original

Table 10a. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - males, full time adult ordinary time earnings

Table 10b. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - males, full time adult total earnings

Table 10c. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - males, total earnings

Table 10d. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - females, full time adult ordinary time earnings

Table 10e. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - females, full time adult total earnings

Table 10f. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - females, total earnings

Table 10g. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - persons, full time adult ordinary time earnings

Table 10h. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - persons, full time adult total earnings

Table 10i. Average weekly earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original - persons, total earnings

Table 11a. Average weekly earnings, New South Wales (dollars) - trend

Table 11b. Average weekly earnings, Victoria (dollars) - trend

Table 11c. Average weekly earnings, Queensland (dollars) - trend

Table 11d. Average weekly earnings, South Australia (dollars) - trend

Table 11e. Average weekly earnings, Western Australia (dollars) - trend

Table 11f. Average weekly earnings, Tasmania (dollars) - trend

Table 11g. Average weekly earnings, Northern Territory (dollars) - trend

Table 11h. Average weekly earnings, Australian Capital Territory (dollars) - trend

Table 12a. Average weekly earnings, New South Wales (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12b. Average weekly earnings, Victoria (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12c. Average weekly earnings, Queensland (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12d. Average weekly earnings, South Australia (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12e. Average weekly earnings, Western Australia (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12f. Average weekly earnings, Tasmania (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12g. Average weekly earnings, Northern Territory (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 12h. Average weekly earnings, Australian Capital Territory (dollars) - seasonally adjusted

Table 13a. Average weekly earnings, New South Wales (dollars) - original

Table 13b. Average weekly earnings, Victoria (dollars) - original

Table 13c. Average weekly earnings, Queensland (dollars) - original

Table 13d. Average weekly earnings, South Australia (dollars) - original

Table 13e. Average weekly earnings, Western Australia (dollars) - original

Table 13f. Average weekly earnings, Tasmania (dollars) - original

Table 13g. Average weekly earnings, Northern Territory (dollars) - original

Table 13h. Average weekly earnings, Australian Capital Territory (dollars) - original

Table 14a. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, New South Wales (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14b. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Victoria (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14c. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Queensland (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14d. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, South Australia (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14e. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Western Australia (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14f. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Tasmania (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14g. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Northern Territory (dollars) - original - persons

Table 14h. Average weekly earnings, private and public sectors, Australian Capital Territory (dollars) - original - persons

Data downloads - data cubes

Table 15: Average weekly cash earnings, Australia by sector (dollars) - original

Table 16: Average weekly cash earnings, state by sector (dollars) - original

Table 17: Average weekly cash earnings, industry, Australia (dollars) - original

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