Annual wage growth was more than 3 percent in the September quarter, with the value of total wages and salaries paid by employers jumping by more than 5 percent, compared to the same time last year.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Head of Prices Statistics Michelle Marquardt said the Wage Price Index (WPI) rose 0.8 percent in the September quarter.
“Annual wage growth to the September quarter 2025 was 3.4 percent,” Ms Marquardt said.
“Annual wage growth remained steady compared to the June quarter 2025, but was slightly lower than this time last year.”
She said the quarterly growth of 0.8 percent was in line with the June quarter 2025 and September quarter 2024.
Ms Marquardt said seasonally adjusted private sector wages grew 0.7 percent for the quarter, while public sector wages rose 0.9 per cent.
“Annual public sector wage growth was 3.8 percent in the year to September quarter, slightly up compared to 3.7 percent at the same time last year.
ABS Head of Labour Statistics Sean Crick said total wages and salaries paid by employers were $108.8 billion in September 2025, up 5.3 per cent from September 2024.
“The total wages and salaries paid by employers rose by $5.3 billion in the three months from June 2025.” Mr Crick said.
“This repeats the seasonal pattern we’ve seen in previous years as some industries pay bonuses in September.
“Annual growth in total wages and salaries to September 2025 was 5.3 per cent, lower than the annual growth to September 2024 of 6.1 per cent.”
