Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia

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Payroll jobs and wages estimates, sourced from Single Touch Payroll (STP) data

Reference period

Week ending 14 August 2021

Released

9/09/2021

View all releases

Key statistics

Between the weeks ending 31 July and 14 August 2021:

Payroll jobs decreased by 0.7%
Total wages paid decreased by 1.0%

Interim updates between monthly releases

From this release, Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia will be released on a monthly basis. This will generally be on the Thursday before Labour Force is released and include the full suite of weekly indexes.

The ABS will also provide an interim update between monthly releases, given the ongoing pandemic situation around the country. 'Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia, Interim' will be released two weeks after the monthly release and include national and state and territory payroll job estimates (percentage change table and a time series index data download).

The first interim update will be released on Thursday 23 September 2021, with similar updates planned in the coming months.

National

In the fortnight up to the week ending 14 August 2021:

Payroll jobs decreased by 0.7%, compared to a decrease of 1.8% in the previous fortnight
Total wages paid decreased by 1.0%, compared to a decrease of 2.2% in the previous fortnight

Percentage change in payroll jobs and total wages
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Payroll jobs	-0.7%	-2.4%	1.6%
Total wages	-1.0%	-3.2%	4.9%

Estimates of changes throughout this release are calculated using un-rounded index values. They may be different from, but are more accurate than, movements obtained from the rounded index values.

Payroll jobs and total wages, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020(a)
Week ending	Payroll jobs (pts)	Total wages (pts)
15-Aug-20	99.3	97.5
22-Aug-20	99.4	97.5
29-Aug-20	99.5	97.7
05-Sep-20	99.8	100.4
12-Sep-20	100.2	101.5
19-Sep-20	100.3	102.2
26-Sep-20	100.2	101.4
03-Oct-20	99.4	99.1
10-Oct-20	99.6	97.7
17-Oct-20	100.4	98.5
24-Oct-20	100.7	98.0
31-Oct-20	100.9	98.0
07-Nov-20	101.4	99.3
14-Nov-20	102.1	100.2
21-Nov-20	102.5	100.2
28-Nov-20	102.8	101.5
05-Dec-20	103.3	103.2
12-Dec-20	103.4	103.8
19-Dec-20	102.6	103.7
26-Dec-20	98.8	98.2
02-Jan-21	96.1	95.0
09-Jan-21	97.6	96.4
16-Jan-21	99.8	98.6
23-Jan-21	100.8	99.1
30-Jan-21	101.3	99.5
06-Feb-21	101.7	103.0
13-Feb-21	102.5	104.1
20-Feb-21	102.7	104.2
27-Feb-21	103.2	104.9
06-Mar-21	103.4	105.6
13-Mar-21	103.8	105.5
20-Mar-21	103.9	105.4
27-Mar-21	103.7	105.8
03-Apr-21	102.8	105.1
10-Apr-21	102.5	103.6
17-Apr-21	102.8	104.0
24-Apr-21	103.1	103.6
01-May-21	103.5	104.1
08-May-21	103.8	103.5
15-May-21	104.0	104.0
22-May-21	104.6	104.6
29-May-21	104.6	104.5
05-Jun-21	104.1	105.4
12-Jun-21	104.4	106.5
19-Jun-21	104.5	107.4
26-Jun-21	104.3	108.2
03-Jul-21	103.6	107.8
10-Jul-21	103.5	106.2
17-Jul-21	103.4	105.6
24-Jul-21	101.9	103.9
31-Jul-21	101.5	103.3
07-Aug-21	100.8	102.4
14-Aug-21	100.9	102.2

Payroll jobs and total wages, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020(a)

["Week ending","Payroll jobs","Total wages"]

[["15-Aug-20","22-Aug-20","29-Aug-20","05-Sep-20","12-Sep-20","19-Sep-20","26-Sep-20","03-Oct-20","10-Oct-20","17-Oct-20","24-Oct-20","31-Oct-20","07-Nov-20","14-Nov-20","21-Nov-20","28-Nov-20","05-Dec-20","12-Dec-20","19-Dec-20","26-Dec-20","02-Jan-21","09-Jan-21","16-Jan-21","23-Jan-21","30-Jan-21","06-Feb-21","13-Feb-21","20-Feb-21","27-Feb-21","06-Mar-21","13-Mar-21","20-Mar-21","27-Mar-21","03-Apr-21","10-Apr-21","17-Apr-21","24-Apr-21","01-May-21","08-May-21","15-May-21","22-May-21","29-May-21","05-Jun-21","12-Jun-21","19-Jun-21","26-Jun-21","03-Jul-21","10-Jul-21","17-Jul-21","24-Jul-21","31-Jul-21","07-Aug-21","14-Aug-21"],[[99.299999999999997],[99.400000000000006],[99.5],[99.799999999999997],[100.2],[100.3],[100.2],[99.400000000000006],[99.599999999999994],[100.40000000000001],[100.7],[100.90000000000001],[101.40000000000001],[102.09999999999999],[102.5],[102.8],[103.3],[103.40000000000001],[102.59999999999999],[98.799999999999997],[96.099999999999994],[97.599999999999994],[99.799999999999997],[100.8],[101.3],[101.7],[102.5],[102.7],[103.2],[103.40000000000001],[103.8],[103.90000000000001],[103.7],[102.8],[102.5],[102.8],[103.09999999999999],[103.5],[103.8],[104],[104.59999999999999],[104.59999999999999],[104.09999999999999],[104.40000000000001],[104.5],[104.3],[103.59999999999999],[103.5],[103.40000000000001],[101.90000000000001],[101.5],[100.8],[100.90000000000001]],[[97.5],[97.5],[97.700000000000003],[100.40000000000001],[101.5],[102.2],[101.40000000000001],[99.099999999999994],[97.700000000000003],[98.5],[98],[98],[99.299999999999997],[100.2],[100.2],[101.5],[103.2],[103.8],[103.7],[98.200000000000003],[95],[96.400000000000006],[98.599999999999994],[99.099999999999994],[99.5],[103],[104.09999999999999],[104.2],[104.90000000000001],[105.59999999999999],[105.5],[105.40000000000001],[105.8],[105.09999999999999],[103.59999999999999],[104],[103.59999999999999],[104.09999999999999],[103.5],[104],[104.59999999999999],[104.5],[105.40000000000001],[106.5],[107.40000000000001],[108.2],[107.8],[106.2],[105.59999999999999],[103.90000000000001],[103.3],[102.40000000000001],[102.2]]]

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Payroll jobs and wages data during June and July see a greater variation in business payroll reporting around the end of financial year. For more information, see Variation in revisions in Data limitations and revisions.

State and territory

Payroll jobs

All geographical areas in this release represent the residential address of the jobholder.

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in payroll jobs were:

South Australia, up 1.5%
New South Wales, down 1.2%

State and territory percentage change in payroll jobs, in the fortnight to 14 August 2021

This map presents the percentage change in payroll jobs in the fortnight up to 14 August 2021, by the state and territory of the jobholder's residential address.

- New South Wales (-1.2%)
- Victoria (-0.6%)
- Queensland (-1.0%)
- South Australia (1.5%)
- Western Australia (0.0%)
- Tasmania (-0.5%)
- Northern Territory (0.2%)
- Australian Capital Territory (-0.7%)

Percentage change in payroll jobs, by state and territory
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
New South Wales	-1.2%	-5.0%	-4.9%
Victoria	-0.6%	-1.7%	5.9%
Queensland	-1.0%	-1.9%	3.3%
South Australia	1.5%	-0.5%	4.6%
Western Australia	0.0%	0.3%	5.3%
Tasmania	-0.5%	-0.7%	3.8%
Northern Territory	0.2%	0.4%	6.4%
Australian Capital Territory	-0.7%	-1.3%	1.7%
Australia	-0.7%	-2.4%	1.6%

An additional index of Australian payroll jobs with New South Wales excluded (Rest of Australia) is available below, providing alternative insights into the period of increased COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales.

Payroll jobs by selected geography, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020
Week ending	New South Wales (pts)	Rest of Australia (pts)
15-Aug-20	100.8	98.5
22-Aug-20	100.9	98.7
29-Aug-20	101.0	98.7
05-Sep-20	101.4	99.0
12-Sep-20	101.7	99.5
19-Sep-20	101.9	99.6
26-Sep-20	101.8	99.4
03-Oct-20	100.8	98.7
10-Oct-20	100.7	99.1
17-Oct-20	101.6	99.9
24-Oct-20	102.0	100.2
31-Oct-20	101.9	100.4
07-Nov-20	102.2	101.0
14-Nov-20	102.9	101.8
21-Nov-20	103.4	102.0
28-Nov-20	103.6	102.4
05-Dec-20	103.8	103.1
12-Dec-20	103.7	103.2
19-Dec-20	103.0	102.4
26-Dec-20	99.4	98.5
02-Jan-21	96.5	95.8
09-Jan-21	98.1	97.3
16-Jan-21	100.4	99.5
23-Jan-21	101.3	100.5
30-Jan-21	101.8	101.0
06-Feb-21	102.3	101.5
13-Feb-21	103.1	102.2
20-Feb-21	103.1	102.6
27-Feb-21	103.5	103.0
06-Mar-21	103.8	103.2
13-Mar-21	104.1	103.6
20-Mar-21	104.2	103.7
27-Mar-21	104.1	103.5
03-Apr-21	103.3	102.6
10-Apr-21	102.8	102.4
17-Apr-21	103.2	102.7
24-Apr-21	103.5	103.0
01-May-21	103.7	103.3
08-May-21	103.8	103.7
15-May-21	104.1	104.0
22-May-21	104.7	104.6
29-May-21	105.0	104.5
05-Jun-21	104.8	103.7
12-Jun-21	105.0	104.1
19-Jun-21	104.8	104.4
26-Jun-21	104.2	104.3
03-Jul-21	102.4	104.1
10-Jul-21	101.6	104.4
17-Jul-21	100.9	104.5
24-Jul-21	98.7	103.5
31-Jul-21	97.0	103.6
07-Aug-21	96.2	103.0
14-Aug-21	95.9	103.2

Payroll jobs by selected geography, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020

["Week ending","New South Wales","Rest of Australia"]

[["15-Aug-20","22-Aug-20","29-Aug-20","05-Sep-20","12-Sep-20","19-Sep-20","26-Sep-20","03-Oct-20","10-Oct-20","17-Oct-20","24-Oct-20","31-Oct-20","07-Nov-20","14-Nov-20","21-Nov-20","28-Nov-20","05-Dec-20","12-Dec-20","19-Dec-20","26-Dec-20","02-Jan-21","09-Jan-21","16-Jan-21","23-Jan-21","30-Jan-21","06-Feb-21","13-Feb-21","20-Feb-21","27-Feb-21","06-Mar-21","13-Mar-21","20-Mar-21","27-Mar-21","03-Apr-21","10-Apr-21","17-Apr-21","24-Apr-21","01-May-21","08-May-21","15-May-21","22-May-21","29-May-21","05-Jun-21","12-Jun-21","19-Jun-21","26-Jun-21","03-Jul-21","10-Jul-21","17-Jul-21","24-Jul-21","31-Jul-21","07-Aug-21","14-Aug-21"],[[100.8],[100.90000000000001],[101],[101.40000000000001],[101.7],[101.90000000000001],[101.8],[100.8],[100.7],[101.59999999999999],[102],[101.90000000000001],[102.2],[102.90000000000001],[103.40000000000001],[103.59999999999999],[103.8],[103.7],[103],[99.400000000000006],[96.5],[98.099999999999994],[100.40000000000001],[101.3],[101.8],[102.3],[103.09999999999999],[103.09999999999999],[103.5],[103.8],[104.09999999999999],[104.2],[104.09999999999999],[103.3],[102.8],[103.2],[103.5],[103.7],[103.8],[104.09999999999999],[104.7],[105],[104.8],[105],[104.8],[104.2],[102.40000000000001],[101.59999999999999],[100.90000000000001],[98.700000000000003],[97],[96.200000000000003],[95.900000000000006]],[[98.5],[98.700000000000003],[98.700000000000003],[99],[99.5],[99.599999999999994],[99.400000000000006],[98.700000000000003],[99.099999999999994],[99.900000000000006],[100.2],[100.40000000000001],[101],[101.8],[102],[102.40000000000001],[103.09999999999999],[103.2],[102.40000000000001],[98.5],[95.799999999999997],[97.299999999999997],[99.5],[100.5],[101],[101.5],[102.2],[102.59999999999999],[103],[103.2],[103.59999999999999],[103.7],[103.5],[102.59999999999999],[102.40000000000001],[102.7],[103],[103.3],[103.7],[104],[104.59999999999999],[104.5],[103.7],[104.09999999999999],[104.40000000000001],[104.3],[104.09999999999999],[104.40000000000001],[104.5],[103.5],[103.59999999999999],[103],[103.2]]]

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Total wages

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in total wages paid were:

Australian Capital Territory, down 2.6%
South Australia, up 2.5%

Percentage change in total wages, by state and territory
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
New South Wales	-1.3%	-5.1%	0.0%
Victoria	-1.3%	-3.2%	7.8%
Queensland	-1.3%	-2.7%	5.9%
South Australia	2.5%	-0.5%	6.4%
Western Australia	-0.2%	-0.1%	9.6%
Tasmania	-0.8%	-2.2%	5.5%
Northern Territory	0.5%	-0.2%	8.5%
Australian Capital Territory	-2.6%	-3.1%	4.2%
Australia	-1.0%	-3.2%	4.9%

Sub-state - payroll jobs

Time series estimates of payroll jobs by sub-state regions (Statistical Area 4 (SA4), Statistical Area 3 (SA3) and Greater Capital City Area (GCCSA) regions) are presented as index values in Table 5 of the Data downloads.

For more information on the geography used in this release, see the Glossary.

GCCSA regions percentage change in payroll jobs, in the fortnight to 14 August 2021

This map presents the percentage change in payroll jobs in the fortnight up to 14 August 2021, by the GCCSA region of the jobholder's residential address.
- Greater Sydney (-1.5%)
- Rest of New South Wales (-0.6%)
- Greater Melbourne (-1.0%)
- Rest of Victoria (-0.8%)
- Greater Brisbane (-1.1%)
- Rest of Queensland (-0.9%)
- Greater Adelaide (1.4%)
- Rest of South Australia (1.1%)
- Greater Perth (-0.1%)
- Rest of Western Australia (0.2%)
- Greater Hobart (-0.4%)
- Rest of Tasmania (-0.6%)
- Greater Darwin (0.0%)
- Rest of Northern Territory (0.3%)
- Australian Capital Territory (-0.7%)

The ACT only has one GCCSA region for the entire Territory.

Sex and Age group

Payroll jobs

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in payroll jobs were:

worked by males and females, both down 0.7%
worked by persons aged 15-19, down 3.0%

Percentage change in payroll jobs, by sex and age group (a)
		In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Sex	Males	-0.7%	-2.8%	-1.0%
Sex	Females	-0.7%	-2.2%	1.0%
Age group (years)	15-19	-3.0%	-6.2%	6.5%
	20-29	-0.8%	-3.7%	1.6%
	30-39	-0.5%	-2.1%	1.4%
	40-49	-0.5%	-1.7%	0.5%
	50-59	-0.4%	-1.6%	1.0%
	60-69	0.2%	-1.3%	2.8%
	70 and over	-0.6%	-2.9%	1.5%
All persons		-0.7%	-2.4%	1.6%

a. Persons with 'unknown' sex and age are only included in the calculation of All persons indexes. For more information, see Data components, totals and index calculation in Data limitations and revisions.

Payroll jobs by sex, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020
Week ending	Males (pts)	Females (pts)
15-Aug-20	99.6	98.7
22-Aug-20	99.8	98.7
29-Aug-20	99.8	98.9
05-Sep-20	99.9	99.2
12-Sep-20	100.3	99.7
19-Sep-20	100.4	99.8
26-Sep-20	100.2	99.5
03-Oct-20	99.6	98.6
10-Oct-20	99.7	98.7
17-Oct-20	100.4	99.8
24-Oct-20	100.5	100.2
31-Oct-20	100.5	100.5
07-Nov-20	100.8	101.0
14-Nov-20	101.5	101.7
21-Nov-20	101.7	102.1
28-Nov-20	101.9	102.4
05-Dec-20	102.3	102.9
12-Dec-20	102.4	102.9
19-Dec-20	101.5	102.1
26-Dec-20	97.4	98.5
02-Jan-21	94.9	95.8
09-Jan-21	96.8	96.8
16-Jan-21	99.2	98.6
23-Jan-21	100.2	99.6
30-Jan-21	100.6	100.1
06-Feb-21	100.9	100.6
13-Feb-21	101.5	101.4
20-Feb-21	101.7	101.8
27-Feb-21	101.9	102.3
06-Mar-21	102.1	102.5
13-Mar-21	102.3	102.9
20-Mar-21	102.4	103.0
27-Mar-21	102.2	102.8
03-Apr-21	101.4	101.9
10-Apr-21	101.2	101.4
17-Apr-21	101.5	101.5
24-Apr-21	101.6	102.0
01-May-21	101.8	102.4
08-May-21	101.9	102.7
15-May-21	102.2	103.0
22-May-21	102.5	103.7
29-May-21	102.5	103.7
05-Jun-21	102.0	103.1
12-Jun-21	102.2	103.4
19-Jun-21	102.1	103.7
26-Jun-21	101.7	103.6
03-Jul-21	101.1	102.7
10-Jul-21	101.4	102.2
17-Jul-21	101.4	102.0
24-Jul-21	100.0	100.6
31-Jul-21	99.3	100.4
07-Aug-21	98.7	99.7
14-Aug-21	98.6	99.7

Payroll jobs by sex, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020

["Week ending","Males","Females"]

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Total wages

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in total wages paid were:

payments to males, down 1.2%
payments to persons aged 15-19, down 4.4%

Percentage change in total wages, by sex and age group (a)
		In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Sex	Males	-1.2%	-3.8%	4.3%
Sex	Females	-0.7%	-2.3%	4.3%
Age group (years)	15-19	-4.4%	-10.0%	-5.7%
	20-29	-0.8%	-4.4%	3.7%
	30-39	-0.8%	-3.1%	5.9%
	40-49	-1.1%	-2.7%	4.6%
	50-59	-1.1%	-2.6%	5.0%
	60-69	-0.4%	-2.4%	6.5%
	70 and over	-2.2%	-5.0%	2.4%
All persons		-1.0%	-3.2%	4.9%

Industry

Payroll jobs

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in payroll jobs were:

Accommodation and food services, down 4.4%
Arts and recreation services, down 3.6%

Percentage change in payroll jobs, by industry
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	-2.6%	-4.5%	-1.6%
Mining	-0.5%	-0.4%	2.3%
Manufacturing	-0.6%	-1.9%	-1.0%
Electricity, gas, water and waste services	-0.7%	-1.5%	-0.3%
Construction	0.6%	-4.2%	-2.2%
Wholesale trade	-1.4%	-3.2%	-1.2%
Retail trade	-0.5%	-3.3%	0.2%
Accommodation and food services	-4.4%	-9.4%	-3.5%
Transport, postal and warehousing	-1.2%	-2.5%	-4.7%
Information media and telecommunications	-1.7%	-2.2%	-2.6%
Financial and insurance services	-0.5%	-1.2%	5.3%
Rental, hiring and real estate services	-3.1%	-4.8%	1.6%
Professional, scientific and technical services	-0.3%	-1.8%	5.3%
Administrative and support services	0.0%	-3.4%	6.3%
Public administration and safety	0.2%	-0.3%	7.7%
Education and training	1.1%	2.8%	2.2%
Health care and social assistance	0.1%	-0.7%	5.6%
Arts and recreation services	-3.6%	-9.7%	-2.5%
Other services	-2.7%	-5.2%	0.0%
All industries	-0.7%	-2.4%	1.6%

Percentage change in payroll jobs by industry (a)
	Fortnight to 31 July 2021 (%)	Fortnight to 14 August 2021 (%)
Accommodation and food services	-5.3	-4.4
Arts and recreation services	-6.3	-3.6
Rental, hiring and real estate services	-1.7	-3.1
Other services	-2.5	-2.7
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	-1.9	-2.6
Information media and telecommunications	-0.4	-1.7
Wholesale trade	-1.8	-1.4
Transport, postal and warehousing	-1.3	-1.2
Electricity, gas, water and waste services	-0.8	-0.7
Manufacturing	-1.3	-0.6
Retail trade	-2.7	-0.5
Financial and insurance services	-0.7	-0.5
Mining	0.1	-0.5
Professional, scientific and technical services	-1.5	-0.3
Administrative and support services	-3.4	0.0
Health care and social assistance	-0.8	0.1
Public administration and safety	-0.5	0.2
Construction	-4.8	0.6
Education and training	1.7	1.1

Percentage change in payroll jobs by industry (a)

["","Fortnight to 31 July 2021","Fortnight to 14 August 2021"]

[["Accommodation and food services","Arts and recreation services","Rental, hiring and real estate services","Other services","Agriculture, forestry and fishing","Information media and telecommunications","Wholesale trade","Transport, postal and warehousing","Electricity, gas, water and waste services","Manufacturing","Retail trade","Financial and insurance services","Mining","Professional, scientific and technical services","Administrative and support services","Health care and social assistance","Public administration and safety","Construction","Education and training"],[[-5.2999999999999998],[-6.2999999999999998],[-1.7],[-2.5],[-1.8999999999999999],[-0.40000000000000002],[-1.8],[-1.3],[-0.80000000000000004],[-1.3],[-2.7000000000000002],[-0.69999999999999996],[0.10000000000000001],[-1.5],[-3.3999999999999999],[-0.80000000000000004],[-0.5],[-4.7999999999999998],[1.7]],[[-4.4000000000000004],[-3.6000000000000001],[-3.1000000000000001],[-2.7000000000000002],[-2.6000000000000001],[-1.7],[-1.3999999999999999],[-1.2],[-0.69999999999999996],[-0.59999999999999998],[-0.5],[-0.5],[-0.5],[-0.29999999999999999],[0],[0.10000000000000001],[0.20000000000000001],[0.59999999999999998],[1.1000000000000001]]]

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Industries ranked by percentage change in the latest fortnight.

Total wages

In the fortnight to 14 August 2021, the largest changes in total wages paid were:

Accommodation and food services, down 7.1%
Rental, hiring and real estate services, down 5.8%

Percentage change in total wages, by industry(a)
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	-1.6%	-2.9%	6.1%
Mining	-0.2%	0.9%	10.2%
Manufacturing	0.1%	-2.7%	3.9%
Electricity, gas, water and waste services	-2.2%	-2.0%	2.1%
Construction	1.5%	-5.3%	1.8%
Wholesale trade	-3.1%	-5.1%	4.1%
Retail trade	0.4%	-5.0%	-1.4%
Accommodation and food services	-7.1%	-14.4%	-15.2%
Transport, postal and warehousing	-0.8%	-3.1%	1.5%
Information media and telecommunications	-2.7%	-1.2%	-4.3%
Financial and insurance services	-2.5%	-2.0%	9.2%
Rental, hiring and real estate services	-5.8%	-8.3%	4.1%
Professional, scientific and technical services	-1.7%	-3.3%	12.4%
Administrative and support services	-0.4%	-5.2%	15.3%
Public administration and safety	-0.3%	0.3%	10.4%
Education and training	0.4%	2.1%	2.3%
Health care and social assistance	0.1%	-1.8%	5.5%
Arts and recreation services	-5.5%	-11.1%	-6.9%
Other services	-2.7%	-5.3%	1.9%
All industries	-1.0%	-3.2%	4.9%

Some industries experience pronounced seasonality in either payroll jobs and wages or both. For more information, see Seasonality in Data limitations and revisions.

Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs

Time series estimates of payroll jobs by industry subdivision are presented as index values in Table 6 of the Data downloads. For more information on the industry classifications used in this release, see the Glossary.

Employment size

Recent movements in payroll jobs by employment size are subject to higher than usual levels of revision (over a longer period) than other estimates. This is particularly the case for estimates around the end of the financial year in 2021.

Additional reporting from small employers (under 20 employees) is expected to flow through from early July, due to the conclusion of STP reporting concessions. This will result in additional volatility and revisions for this employer group until regular reporting patterns are established.

Further information on historical revisions to the small employers index are found in Variation in revisions in Data limitations and revisions.

Percentage change in payroll jobs by employment size(a)(b)(c)
	In the fortnight since 31 Jul 2021	In the month since 17 Jul 2021	In the year since 15 Aug 2020
Under 20 employees	-3.7%	-7.1%	-4.1%
20-199 employees	-0.8%	-2.8%	6.8%
200 employees and over	1.0%	0.1%	2.8%
All businesses	-0.7%	-2.4%	1.6%

Records with 'unknown' employment size are only included in the calculation of All businesses indexes. For more information, see Data components, totals and index calculation in Data limitations and revisions.
Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs. For more information, see Data limitations and revisions.
Care should be exercised when referring to change in employment size pre and post characteristics update. For more information, see Update of employer characteristics in Methods review.

Payroll jobs by employment size, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020(a)(b)
Week ending	All sizes (pts)	Under 20 employees (pts)	20-199 employees (pts)	200 employees and over (pts)
15-Aug-20	99.3	103.1	94.9	98.0
22-Aug-20	99.4	103.3	95.0	98.1
29-Aug-20	99.5	101.1	99.2	99.4
05-Sep-20	99.8	101.5	99.8	99.5
12-Sep-20	100.2	102.2	100.3	99.7
19-Sep-20	100.3	102.5	100.4	99.8
26-Sep-20	100.2	102.4	100.2	99.6
03-Oct-20	99.4	101.4	99.6	98.9
10-Oct-20	99.6	101.7	99.8	99.0
17-Oct-20	100.4	102.6	100.8	99.7
24-Oct-20	100.7	103.1	101.4	99.8
31-Oct-20	100.9	103.6	101.6	99.8
07-Nov-20	101.4	104.4	102.0	100.1
14-Nov-20	102.1	105.4	102.8	100.8
21-Nov-20	102.5	106.0	103.1	101.0
28-Nov-20	102.8	106.6	103.5	101.1
05-Dec-20	103.3	107.2	103.9	101.6
12-Dec-20	103.4	107.5	104.1	101.6
19-Dec-20	102.6	106.4	102.9	101.1
26-Dec-20	98.8	100.8	98.2	98.5
02-Jan-21	96.1	96.6	95.6	96.5
09-Jan-21	97.6	99.8	98.0	96.8
16-Jan-21	99.8	103.6	100.6	98.0
23-Jan-21	100.8	105.4	102.0	98.5
30-Jan-21	101.3	105.9	102.6	99.0
06-Feb-21	101.7	106.7	103.4	99.0
13-Feb-21	102.5	107.4	104.0	99.8
20-Feb-21	102.7	107.7	104.0	100.2
27-Feb-21	103.2	108.1	104.5	100.6
06-Mar-21	103.4	108.8	104.6	100.6
13-Mar-21	103.8	109.4	105.4	100.6
20-Mar-21	103.9	109.6	105.6	100.6
27-Mar-21	103.7	109.6	105.9	100.2
03-Apr-21	102.8	107.8	104.6	99.9
10-Apr-21	102.5	107.3	103.9	99.8
17-Apr-21	102.8	107.9	104.3	99.9
24-Apr-21	103.1	108.5	104.9	99.9
01-May-21	103.5	108.6	105.2	100.3
08-May-21	103.8	108.5	105.5	100.7
15-May-21	104.0	108.7	106.0	100.9
22-May-21	104.6	109.3	106.7	101.4
29-May-21	104.6	109.1	106.8	101.5
05-Jun-21	104.1	108.2	106.0	101.1
12-Jun-21	104.4	108.5	106.2	101.4
19-Jun-21	104.5	108.8	106.3	101.4
26-Jun-21	104.3	109.8	106.2	100.4
03-Jul-21	103.6	108.6	105.0	99.8
10-Jul-21	103.5	107.1	104.7	100.4
17-Jul-21	103.4	106.3	104.3	100.7
24-Jul-21	101.9	103.4	102.6	100.1
31-Jul-21	101.5	102.6	102.2	99.8
07-Aug-21	100.8	100.0	101.4	100.1
14-Aug-21	100.9	98.8	101.4	100.8

Payroll jobs by employment size, indexed to the week ending 14 March 2020(a)(b)

["Week ending","All sizes","Under 20 employees","20-199 employees","200 employees and over"]

[["15-Aug-20","22-Aug-20","29-Aug-20","05-Sep-20","12-Sep-20","19-Sep-20","26-Sep-20","03-Oct-20","10-Oct-20","17-Oct-20","24-Oct-20","31-Oct-20","07-Nov-20","14-Nov-20","21-Nov-20","28-Nov-20","05-Dec-20","12-Dec-20","19-Dec-20","26-Dec-20","02-Jan-21","09-Jan-21","16-Jan-21","23-Jan-21","30-Jan-21","06-Feb-21","13-Feb-21","20-Feb-21","27-Feb-21","06-Mar-21","13-Mar-21","20-Mar-21","27-Mar-21","03-Apr-21","10-Apr-21","17-Apr-21","24-Apr-21","01-May-21","08-May-21","15-May-21","22-May-21","29-May-21","05-Jun-21","12-Jun-21","19-Jun-21","26-Jun-21","03-Jul-21","10-Jul-21","17-Jul-21","24-Jul-21","31-Jul-21","07-Aug-21","14-Aug-21"],[[99.299999999999997],[99.400000000000006],[99.5],[99.799999999999997],[100.2],[100.3],[100.2],[99.400000000000006],[99.599999999999994],[100.40000000000001],[100.7],[100.90000000000001],[101.40000000000001],[102.09999999999999],[102.5],[102.8],[103.3],[103.40000000000001],[102.59999999999999],[98.799999999999997],[96.099999999999994],[97.599999999999994],[99.799999999999997],[100.8],[101.3],[101.7],[102.5],[102.7],[103.2],[103.40000000000001],[103.8],[103.90000000000001],[103.7],[102.8],[102.5],[102.8],[103.09999999999999],[103.5],[103.8],[104],[104.59999999999999],[104.59999999999999],[104.09999999999999],[104.40000000000001],[104.5],[104.3],[103.59999999999999],[103.5],[103.40000000000001],[101.90000000000001],[101.5],[100.8],[100.90000000000001]],[[103.09999999999999],[103.3],[101.09999999999999],[101.5],[102.2],[102.5],[102.40000000000001],[101.40000000000001],[101.7],[102.59999999999999],[103.09999999999999],[103.59999999999999],[104.40000000000001],[105.40000000000001],[106],[106.59999999999999],[107.2],[107.5],[106.40000000000001],[100.8],[96.599999999999994],[99.799999999999997],[103.59999999999999],[105.40000000000001],[105.90000000000001],[106.7],[107.40000000000001],[107.7],[108.09999999999999],[108.8],[109.40000000000001],[109.59999999999999],[109.59999999999999],[107.8],[107.3],[107.90000000000001],[108.5],[108.59999999999999],[108.5],[108.7],[109.3],[109.09999999999999],[108.2],[108.5],[108.8],[109.8],[108.59999999999999],[107.09999999999999],[106.3],[103.40000000000001],[102.59999999999999],[100],[98.799999999999997]],[[94.900000000000006],[95],[99.200000000000003],[99.799999999999997],[100.3],[100.40000000000001],[100.2],[99.599999999999994],[99.799999999999997],[100.8],[101.40000000000001],[101.59999999999999],[102],[102.8],[103.09999999999999],[103.5],[103.90000000000001],[104.09999999999999],[102.90000000000001],[98.200000000000003],[95.599999999999994],[98],[100.59999999999999],[102],[102.59999999999999],[103.40000000000001],[104],[104],[104.5],[104.59999999999999],[105.40000000000001],[105.59999999999999],[105.90000000000001],[104.59999999999999],[103.90000000000001],[104.3],[104.90000000000001],[105.2],[105.5],[106],[106.7],[106.8],[106],[106.2],[106.3],[106.2],[105],[104.7],[104.3],[102.59999999999999],[102.2],[101.40000000000001],[101.40000000000001]],[[98],[98.099999999999994],[99.400000000000006],[99.5],[99.700000000000003],[99.799999999999997],[99.599999999999994],[98.900000000000006],[99],[99.700000000000003],[99.799999999999997],[99.799999999999997],[100.09999999999999],[100.8],[101],[101.09999999999999],[101.59999999999999],[101.59999999999999],[101.09999999999999],[98.5],[96.5],[96.799999999999997],[98],[98.5],[99],[99],[99.799999999999997],[100.2],[100.59999999999999],[100.59999999999999],[100.59999999999999],[100.59999999999999],[100.2],[99.900000000000006],[99.799999999999997],[99.900000000000006],[99.900000000000006],[100.3],[100.7],[100.90000000000001],[101.40000000000001],[101.5],[101.09999999999999],[101.40000000000001],[101.40000000000001],[100.40000000000001],[99.799999999999997],[100.40000000000001],[100.7],[100.09999999999999],[99.799999999999997],[100.09999999999999],[100.8]]]

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Care should be exercised when focusing on the most recent movements in payroll jobs. For more information, see Data limitations and revisions.
The ABS Business Register snapshot transition point is in the week ending 29 August 2020. Caution should be used when comparing change across this point. For more information, see Update of employer characteristics in Methods review.

Distribution of characteristics

To aid in the interpretability of payroll job estimates, the following data download contains selected distributions of jobholder and employer characteristics by state and territory.

Records with 'unknown' characteristics have been excluded from the calculation of proportions, however:

almost no payroll jobs have an unknown state or territory,
less than 0.5% of payroll jobs have an unknown age,
less than 1% of payroll jobs have an unknown industry, and
less than 2% of payroll jobs have unknown sex.

For more information on unknowns see Updating characteristic variables in How data are processed.

Table 20: Payroll jobs - characteristics distributions

Contains selected distributions of jobholder and employer characteristics, available in this release since 9 September 2021.

Data files

Download xlsx [139.72 KB]

Data downloads

Table 4: Payroll jobs and wages indexes

Data files

Download xlsx [2.91 MB]

Table 5: Sub-state - Payroll jobs indexes

Data files

Download xlsx [268.42 KB]

Table 6: Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs indexes

Data files

Download xlsx [80.49 KB]

Table 7: Employer characteristics - Payroll jobs index

Contains estimates of payroll jobs by employment size, including state and territory dimension.

Data files

Download xlsx [50.8 KB]

Table 8: Jobholder characteristics - Payroll jobs index

Contains estimates of payroll jobs by 5 year age groups.

Data files

Download xlsx [56.45 KB]

All data cubes

Data files

Download zip [2.35 MB]

Changes in this release

The following sections were updated in this release:

All sections: Tables presenting payroll jobs and wages tables were separated and tables now present percentage change for the fortnight, month and year
Sex and Age group: previously separate sex and age group sections have been merged
Distribution of characteristics: New section with a data download
Data downloads: Table 5a (GCCSA regions) added to Table 5 (Sub-state) as a separate tab. Additional column (industry) added to Table 7 ahead of the availability of new output

Upcoming changes to this release

Expansion of outputs

Payroll job outputs will be expanded over 2021-22. The availability in specific releases is yet to be determined. Expected Data download templates are available on request at labour.statistics@abs.gov.au.

In alphabetical order, the planned outputs are:

Employment size by industry division
Industry division by Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4)
Jobholder and employer characteristics distributions
Private sector by industry division
Private sector by state/territory
State by industry subdivision

Previously published articles and information of interest are linked below:

Distribution of jobholder and employer characteristics provides selected distributions to aid in interpreting estimates produced from STP data
A year of COVID-19 through payroll jobs and wages statistics reviews payroll jobs and wages in the year since Australia's 100th case of COVID-19
Year-end data variability provides some context on seasonality and seasonal variation
Secondary jobs provides insight into multiple jobholders
Incorporating JobKeeper supported payments into Weekly payroll jobs and wages in Australia describes how JobKeeper payments are included

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 6160.0.55.001.

Methodology

Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia methodology, Week ending 14 August 2021

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APA

Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia

APA

Key statistics

Interim updates between monthly releases

National

State and territory

Payroll jobs

State and territory percentage change in payroll jobs, in the fortnight to 14 August 2021

Total wages

Sub-state - payroll jobs

GCCSA regions percentage change in payroll jobs, in the fortnight to 14 August 2021

Sex and Age group

Payroll jobs

Total wages

Industry

Payroll jobs

Total wages

Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs

Employment size

Distribution of characteristics

Table 20: Payroll jobs - characteristics distributions

Data downloads

Table 4: Payroll jobs and wages indexes

Table 5: Sub-state - Payroll jobs indexes

Table 6: Industry subdivision - Payroll jobs indexes

Table 7: Employer characteristics - Payroll jobs index

Table 8: Jobholder characteristics - Payroll jobs index

All data cubes

Changes in this release

Upcoming changes to this release

Expansion of outputs

Previous articles

Previous catalogue number

Methodology

Media releases

Payroll jobs fall 0.7% in first half of August

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