Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that annual real wages have now grown for eight consecutive quarters.
This is now the longest period of consecutive annual real wage growth in almost a decade.
This is an encouraging outcome that shows our policies to deliver higher wages for workers are paying off for hardworking Australians.
Real wages were going backwards before we came to office, they’re growing under Labor, and we see that again in these figures.
Our economic plan is designed to help Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more and today’s data shows we continue to make meaningful progress in the economy.
The wage price index grew 0.8 per cent in the September quarter, to be 3.4 per cent higher through the year.
Real wages grew 0.2 per cent through the year to the September quarter 2025.
This latest data shows enterprise agreements continue to be a key source of wages growth for Australian workers – which is why our efforts to boost bargaining are so important.
When we came to office, real wages were going badly backwards and fell for the five quarters leading up to the 2022 election.
Real wages were going backwards 3.5 per cent under our predecessors.
Since we came to Government, average annualised nominal wages have been growing at 3.7 per cent, much higher than the 2.2 per cent under our predecessors.
Decent wages growth is not accidental, it’s a deliberate strategy of this government just like wage suppression was a deliberate strategy of our predecessors.
Annual nominal wages have grown above three per cent for every quarter we have been in office. There was not one quarter where wages grew with a three in front of it in the nine long years the Liberals were in power.
We’re acting to boost wages, close the gender pay gap, deliver workplace relations reforms and secure pay rises for some of the lowest paid workers in our community.
Our support for the lowest paid workers means minimum wage earners are now earning more than $175 per week more than when we came to government.
At the same time, we’ve overseen the creation of 1.2 million jobs and stronger employment growth than any major advanced economy.
Around four out of every five of those jobs have been created in the private sector.
The private sector recovery we have been planning and preparing for is taking place, and it’s clear that private demand has been the key driver of growth for three consecutive quarters.
Since Labor was elected, inflation has come down, unemployment has been low, the gender pay gap has hit record lows, interest rates have been cut three times this year and real wages and living standards are growing again.
We know there’s more to do because Australians are still under pressure and the global economy is uncertain and unpredictable.
That’s why the Government continues to roll out responsible cost of living relief including tax cuts for every taxpayer, slashing student debt, cheaper medicines and more bulk billing.
The best defence against global volatility and the best way to lift wages and living standards over the long term is with a more productive and resilient economy and a stronger budget, and that’s our focus.