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Australia wages growth slows in Q1, led by private sector

By Thomson Reuters May 12, 2026 | 8:47 PM

SYDNEY, May 13 (Reuters) – Australian wages rose at a moderate pace ​in the first ‌quarter as annual growth in the private sector slowed to the lowest ‌in ​almost four ⁠years, data showed ⁠on Wednesday.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed its wage price ​index rose 0.8% in the March ⁠quarter, the ⁠same as the ​previous quarter and in ​line with analyst forecasts. Annual ‌pay growth ticked down to 3.3%, from 3.4%.

Growth in the ⁠private sector dipped to 3.2%, the slowest since late 2022, ⁠while ‌public wage growth ⁠dropped to 3.3% ​from ‌4.0%. The healthcare ​and social ⁠assistance industry made the largest contribution to wages growth.

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Christian ​Schmollinger)