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Data from Australian Bureau of Statistics. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
AustraliaAustralia Wage Price Index YoY fell to 3.3% in January 2026
Australian Bureau of StatisticsMonthlyReleased May 2026
Australia Wage Price Index YoY fell to 3.3% in January 2026, released May 2026, down 0.1% from December's 3.4% reading. The reading matched the 3.3% consensus. The print is running well below the 12-month average of 3.67%. Wage Price Index YoY is now the lowest in 12 months.
Latest Release
3.3
Actual
3.3
Consensus
3.4
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±0.1 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
May 2026
Predicted: 3.3
Actual: 3.3
Error: +0
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUD/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.55 | FOREX | Bullish AUD | → View |
| AUD/JPY | ▲ Direct | +0.45 | FOREX | Bullish AUD | → View |
| AUD/NZD | ▲ Direct | +0.40 | FOREX | Bullish AUD | → View |
| XAU/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.35 | COMMODITIES | Watch | → View |
| NZD/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.35 | FOREX | Bullish NZD | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Wage Price Index YoY (Australia) was reported at 3.3% in May 2026. This matched the market consensus of 3.3% exactly. The reading fell from the previous value of 3.4%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through May 2026.
WHY IT MATTERS
The trailing three releases averaged 3.37%, up from the prior three at 3.33%. In May readings over the past 3 years, Wage Price Index YoY has averaged 3.6%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with AUD/USD (Bullish AUD). A secondary relationship exists with AUD/JPY, positively correlated (Bullish AUD). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 0.1%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Same-country events in the next 14 days include Interest Rate Decision (Jun 16) and RBA Rate Statement (Jun 16).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update May 2026.
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Wage Price Index YoY - AU
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About Wage Price Index YoY — Australia
DEFINITION
The Wage Price Index YoY (Year-over-Year) is a key economic indicator that measures the change in wages and salaries over a 12-month period. It provides valuable insights into the overall trend of wage growth in an economy, and is used by policymakers, businesses, and investors to assess the health of the labor market and potential inflationary pressures. A higher Wage Price Index YoY indicates an increase in wages, which can lead to higher consumer spending and economic growth, while a lower index may signal stagnant wage growth and potential economic slowdown.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
This release contributes to the broader macro picture used by cross-asset investors for positioning and risk management. Surprises against consensus can drive short-term moves, particularly when the print breaks an established trend. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Jan 2026): actual 3.3 %, consensus 3.3 %. Prior reading (Oct 2025): 3.4 %. Before that (Jul 2025): 3.4 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bearish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary headwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with AUD/USD (Bullish AUD, r=0.55) — a useful reference for forex-focused traders.