Australia’s Wage Price Index rose 0.8% in the June quarter compared to the March quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to data released on 13 August by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. However, private-sector wages rose by 0.7% in the June quarter — the lowest increase since 2021.

“The June quarter 2024 private sector rise was the lowest rise for a June quarter since 2021 and the equal lowest rise for any quarter since December quarter 2021,” Michelle Marquardt, ABS head of prices statistics, said in a press release.

However, year-over-year growth in the private sector during the June quarter was 4.1%. It followed three consecutive quarters of 4.2% growth, higher than the 3.9% growth recorded at this time last year.

Meanwhile, in the Australian public sector, wages rose 0.9% in the June quarter, up from the 0.6% growth in the March quarter.

“The stronger June quarterly rise for the public sector was largely due to the newly synchronised timing pattern of Commonwealth public sector agreement increases,” Marquardt said.