Wages Growth Flat, and Low

The seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.5 per cent in the June quarter 2016 and 2.1 per cent over the year, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is the same result as in March quarter 2016.

Seasonally adjusted, private sector wages grew 0.5 per cent and public sector wages grew 0.6 per cent in the June quarter 2016. Through the year private sector wages grew 2.0 per cent and public sector wages grew 2.4 per cent.

The wholesale trade industry recorded the highest quarterly rise of 0.9 per cent in June quarter 2016 and the retail trade industry recorded the lowest quarterly rise of 0.1 per cent.

Wage growth remains low across many industries. Through the year rises for the June quarter 2016 ranged from 1.3 per cent for mining to 2.6 per cent for electricity, gas, water and waste services.

Here is the original data by states.

Wages-June-2016Inflation is running at a similar low level, according to the official figures, at 0.4% but data from our surveys indicates that many households are going backwards in real terms.  This is especially true in the mining heavy states of WA and QLD, as well as NSW.

Author: Martin North

Martin North is the Principal of Digital Finance Analytics

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