The Times Australia
Google AI
The Times World News

.

The official figures say wages aren't growing — here's why they're wrong

  • Written by Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The official figures say wages aren't growing — here's why they're wrongPeterfz30/Shutterstock

Have you heard about the latest wage figures? I hope not. They’re meaningless.

What the widely quoted measure of average weekly earnings purports to show is that wages grew a mere 0.1% over the year to May. It’s not true. It’s not what happened. For most of us, wages grew by much more.

That’s not to say...

Read more: The official figures say wages aren't growing — here's why they're wrong

Times Magazine

Worried AI means you won’t get a job when you graduate? Here’s what the research says

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has warned[1] young people ...

How Managed IT Support Improves Security, Uptime, And Productivity

Managed IT support is a comprehensive, subscription model approach to running and protecting your ...

AI is failing ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’. So what does that mean for machine intelligence?

How do you translate ancient Palmyrene script from a Roman tombstone? How many paired tendons ...

Does Cloud Accounting Provide Adequate Security for Australian Businesses?

Today, many Australian businesses rely on cloud accounting platforms to manage their finances. Bec...

Freak Weather Spikes ‘Allergic Disease’ and Eczema As Temperatures Dip

“Allergic disease” and eczema cases are spiking due to the current freak weather as the Bureau o...

IPECS Phone System in 2026: The Future of Smart Business Communication

By 2026, business communication is no longer just about making and receiving calls. It’s about speed...

The Times Features

Labour crunch to deepen in 2026 as regional skills crisis escalates

A leading talent acquisition expert is warning Australian businesses are facing an unprecedented r...

Technical SEO Fundamentals Every Small Business Website Must Fix in 2026

Technical SEO Fundamentals often sound intimidating to small business owners. Many Melbourne busin...

Most Older Australians Want to Stay in Their Homes Despite Pressure to Downsize

Retirees need credible alternatives to downsizing that respect their preferences The national con...

The past year saw three quarters of struggling households in NSW & ACT experience food insecurity for the first time – yet the wealth of…

Everyday Australians are struggling to make ends meet, with the cost-of-living crisis the major ca...

The Week That Was in Federal Parliament Politics: Will We Have an Effective Opposition Soon?

Federal Parliament returned this week to a familiar rhythm: government ministers defending the p...

Why Pictures Help To Add Colour & Life To The Inside Of Your Australian Property

Many Australian homeowners complain that their home is still missing something, even though they hav...

What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously[1] to lift the cash rate to 3.8...

Do You Need a Building & Pest Inspection for New Homes in Melbourne?

Many buyers assume that a brand-new home does not need an inspection. After all, everything is new...

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Office Move in Perth

Planning an office relocation can be a complex task, especially when business operations need to con...