Rising Wages, Rising Inflation: Australia’s eye-opening Economic Paradox in 2023

Rising Wages, Rising Inflation: Despite a 3.7% wage growth in Australia, a 7% inflation rate erodes real income, impacting purchasing power, housing affordability, and savings.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) latest Wage Price Index reveals a promising 3.7 per cent increase in wages over the past year, ending March 2023. Despite this positive trend, however, inflation is still a formidable adversary to the Australian workforce.

While inflation has started to ease, the figures remain at a worrying 7 per cent, significantly exceeding the Reserve Bank’s target range of 2-3 per cent. As a result, Australian workers are still finding their pay packets being eroded by inflation. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) expressed that although the uptick in wages growth is a welcomed shift, there is a long journey ahead. ACTU Secretary Sally McManus highlighted that the rate of wage growth is still lagging, operating at barely half the rate of inflation. Consequently, workers have been hit with an average real wage cut of 3.3 per cent over the past year.

Reserve Bank’s Interest Rate Decision Looms

Economists predict that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will once again increase the official interest rate at its upcoming meeting on June 6th. Sean Langcake, head of macroeconomic forecasting for Oxford Economics Australia, attributes the stubborn inflation rate to components sensitive to labour costs. He reiterated his belief in an impending interest rate hike, stating that the latest ABS data does nothing to challenge this expectation.

Higher Rising Wages: Solution or Problem?

Contrary to this outlook, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers advocates for higher wages as a solution to the inflation challenge rather than its cause. Dr Chalmers asserts that a myriad of other factors have contributed to the inflation issue and denies that excessive wage growth is among them. For the past decade, he argues, wages have been excessively stagnant.

Dr Chalmers emphasises the need for hard-working Australians to be able to provide for their loved ones and progress, something that has been absent for too long. He views the recent wage growth as an encouraging sign of turning this around.

Growth Across Industries and Regions

The ABS report illustrates a positive trend, with wages growing 0.8 per cent from the previous quarter. Significant contributors to this growth included the education and training sector, which saw a 1.5 per cent increase, and professional, scientific, and technical services, which saw a 0.9 per cent increase.

Public sector wages experienced a 0.9 per cent rise over the quarter, with the annual growth rate increasing from 2.5 per cent in December 2022 to 3.0 per cent in March 2023. This growth is the most substantial since March 2013. Even though the public sector saw higher quarterly growth, the private sector’s larger size made it the primary driver of Australian wage growth.

During the March 2023 quarter, 60 per cent of jobs reported higher wage rises than the previous year, marking the highest proportion since the figures began being collected in 2003. Wage agreements in the public sector, along with regular March quarter increases, contributed to the largest proportion of public sector jobs receiving a wage rise in over four years.

The ABS data showed regional variations, with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) experiencing the highest quarterly growth at 1.3 per cent. In contrast, South Australia and the Northern Territory reported the lowest at 0.6 per cent. Western Australia and Tasmania saw the highest annual wage increase at 4.1 per cent, while the Northern Territory recorded the lowest at 2.9 per cent.

The Gap Between Wages and Inflation

Despite the positive trend in wage growth, about only

one-third of Australian workers have seen their wages keep pace with inflation. This means that two-thirds of workers are experiencing a reduction in their real income, as their wage growth is not keeping up with the rise in the cost of living. Consequently, these workers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has expressed concern over these figures, pointing out that those on low incomes are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of inflation. ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie stated, “While the wage growth is a positive sign, the reality is that many Australians are still struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living is outstripping wages, especially for those on low incomes. This is not a sustainable situation.”

The Impact on the Housing Market The gap between wage growth and inflation has also had a notable impact on Australia’s housing market. With real incomes decreasing for many Australians, the dream of homeownership is becoming increasingly unattainable. Housing prices have been rising at a much faster rate than wages, making it difficult for many to save for a deposit or afford mortgage repayments.

The Future Outlook: A Balancing Act The current situation presents a significant challenge for policymakers. On the one hand, they must support wage growth to ensure workers can afford the rising cost of living. On the other hand, they must keep inflation in check to prevent it from spiralling out of control.

The RBA’s decision to increase the official interest rate could help curb inflation, but it may also make it more difficult for Australians to afford their mortgages. Similarly, increasing wages could help improve living standards, but it may also contribute to higher inflation. It’s a delicate balancing act, one that will require careful consideration and decisive action.

The coming months will be critical in shaping Australia’s economic future. As the RBA, the federal government, and other key players grapple with these challenges, Australian workers and families will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Implications for everyday Australians?

The implications of this situation for Australian citizens and permanent residents are significant and multifaceted. Here are a few key points:

1. Reduced purchasing power: The most immediate impact of the gap between wage growth and inflation is that many Australians are experiencing a reduction in their real income. This means that their wages are not keeping up with the rise in the cost of living, reducing their purchasing power. As a result, they may find it increasingly difficult to afford essentials like food, housing, and healthcare.
2. Housing affordability: The gap between wage growth and inflation is exacerbating Australia’s housing affordability issue. With housing prices rising at a much faster rate than wages, homeownership is becoming increasingly unattainable for many Australians. Those who already own homes might find it more challenging to afford their mortgage repayments if interest rates rise.
3. Savings and investment: The erosion of real income can also affect Australians’ ability to save and invest. Reduced disposable income can limit their ability to save for retirement, invest in the stock market, or build an emergency fund, potentially affecting their long-term financial security.
4. Social inequality: If the wage growth doesn’t keep pace with inflation, it could lead to increased social inequality. Those on lower incomes are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of inflation and may fall further behind if their wages do not keep up with the cost of living.
5. Policy implications: The Australian government and the Reserve Bank of Australia face a challenging balancing act. They need to find ways to support wage growth and control inflation. Depending on the measures they take, citizens and permanent residents could see changes in areas such as tax, public spending, and monetary policy.

In light of these impacts, it’s crucial for Australian citizens and permanent residents to stay informed about economic developments and make sound financial decisions to safeguard their financial well-being. This could include budgeting carefully, diversifying income sources, and seeking financial advice if needed.