The seasonally adjusted Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.4 per cent in the March quarter 2016, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Through the year to March quarter 2016 the WPI rose 2.1 per cent, the lowest rate since the series started in September quarter 1998.
In the March quarter 2016, private sector wages grew 0.4 per cent and public sector wages rose 0.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted). Through the year private sector wages grew at a slower pace than public sector, 1.9 per cent compared to 2.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted).
The education and training industry recorded the highest quarterly rise of 1.0 per cent in March quarter 2016, coinciding with the commencement of the new school year. The construction; professional, scientific and technical services; and administrative and support services industries have all recorded annual growth of less than 2.0 per cent for five consecutive quarters.
