Member Login
Economics update | 19 May 2023
19 May 2023
Wages continue to rise while the labour market softens
Australia witnessed its highest annual wage growth since the September quarter of 2012, reaching 3.7 per cent annually for the March quarter of 2023. This was slightly below the Reserve Bank of Australia’s annual expectation of 3.8 per cent for the March quarter of 2023. The quarterly increase in the Wage Price Index for the March quarter of 2023 stood at 0.8 per cent.
The primary driver behind the growth in wages was the private sector, with wages increasing by 0.8 per cent in the March quarter of 2023 and annually by 3.8 per cent. The public sector recorded the highest quarterly (0.9 per cent) and annual (3 per cent) wage growth for the sector in a decade. The strongest wage increases were seen in education and training (1.5 per cent), and professional and scientific services (0.9 per cent).
While wages continue to grow, the labour market has begun to show signs it is softening, with the number of people employed easing back slightly, down 4,000 jobs. At the same time, 18,000 people were added to the unemployment ranks, with unemployment rising by 0.2 per cent month-over-month, to reach 3.7 per cent in April 2023. The participation rate moved down from 66.8 per cent in March 2023 to 66.7 per cent in April 2023. However, monthly hours worked increased to 1,974 million, indicating those in work were working longer hours .
Given further wage growth but a slight increase in the unemployment rate, all eyes are set on whether the Reserve Bank will raise the cash rate further when it meets next month.
Related Posts
Workplace Relations
26/07/2024
Modern Awards – Casual Employment Term Last week, the Fair Work Commission President, Justice Hatcher, made a statement announcing proceedings on the Commission’s own initiative to determine...
Workplace Relations
19/07/2024
Modern Awards Review The Fair Work Commission published its report on the Modern Awards Review 2023-24 yesterday, along with a statement from Fair Work Commission President, Justice Adam Hatcher,...
Small Business
19/07/2024
Small Business Survey The Small Business Committee met this week, and members received a briefing on the results of the Small Business Survey ahead of...
Trade
19/07/2024
There is still time to join the next ACCI Trade Policy Committee on 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST, featuring special guest speaker George Mina. ...
Tourism
19/07/2024
Sustainable Aviation Fuel submission Australian Chamber - Tourism made a submission to the government's consultation on low-carbon liquid fuels this week. The submission outlines the...
Employment & Skills
19/07/2024
Apprenticeship Incentives Review The 'What We Heard' summary paper from the Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System was released this week. The critical...
Economics
19/07/2024
Unemployment rate slightly up Labour force statistics released this week highlight that the unemployment rate increased slightly from 4 per cent in May to 4.1 per cent...
Workplace Relations
12/07/2024
Right to Disconnect The President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Adam Hatcher, has published a statement and the draft modern award term for the...
Trade and International Affairs
12/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting The next ACCI Trade Policy Committee will feature special guest speaker George Mina, followed by a short Q&A session. George is...
Data, Digital and Cyber
12/07/2024
Upcoming forum meeting The Data, Digital & Cyber (DDC) Forum will hold a meeting on Wednesday 17th July from 10:30am to 12pm AEST. Please contact Ross Creelman for more information.
Small Business
12/07/2024
Upcoming committee meeting The next meeting of the Small Business Committee will be held online on Friday, 19 July from 10:30 am-11:30 AEST. The meeting...
Work, Health and Safety
12/07/2024
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke has endorsed ACCI's nomination of Jennifer Low, director of health, safety, resilience, and digital policy, to the...
Economics
12/07/2024
Productivity Commission report on economic mobility The Productivity Commission report on economic mobility released this week shows that, on average, Australia’s long-term economic growth has led...
Employment and Skills
12/07/2024
New NCVER data release: Government-funded students and courses 2023 According to the recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) release, an estimated 7.1 per cent...
Trade and International
5/07/2024
ACCI Trade Committee Meeting Join us at the next ACCI Trade Committee on Thursday, 1 August, at 2:00 pm AEST. This meeting will feature a...
Small Business
5/07/2024
Payment times reforms pass Amendments to the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 passed Parliament this week. The amendments implement recommendations made through the Statutory Review conducted by Dr Craig...
Work, Health & Safety
5/07/2024
Engineered stone ban is now in effect The prohibition on the manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs commenced on...
Energy
5/07/2024
Nature Positive Bill introduced The Nature Positive Bill was introduced to Parliament this week. This Bill establishes a new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) responsible for...
Economics
5/07/2024
Future Made in Australia The Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024 was tabled in...
Workplace Relations
5/07/2024
Changes from 1 July From 1 July (last Monday) a series of changes have taken place in the workplace relations system. Employers must be aware...