Asia-Pacific

Australia faces increased wage pressures

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-18 11:12

SYDNEY - Australia's major infrastructure projects face increased wage pressures as the shortage of skilled workers continues to grow, a report revealed on Monday.

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According to the September quarter Clarius Skills Index, there was an overall shortage of skilled labour, with the index of skilled workers rising moderately from 98.3 in the September quarter of 2009 to 100.6 index points in the third quarter of 2010.

The Clarius Skills Index analyses labour demand and supply. It is the only national index which provides a clear picture of the current availability of skilled labour against demand.

Kym Quick, chief operating officer from Clarius, the Australian specialist in the employment services market, said the increased demand that infrastructure projects generate could widen the gap between skills supply and demand.

Quick said there was a shortage of 21,300 skilled workers in the Australian labour market of almost 12 million people.

Ten of the 20 skilled occupation categories measured by the Clarius Skills Index were now experiencing shortages, with six involved in aspects of infrastructure projects across the country.

The shortages were felt most across the building, engineering professionals, construction, metal, automotive and wood trades persons.

Australia's unemployment rate in September was 5.1 percent, steady with the previous month's rate, which is lower than the high of 5.8 percent seen in October 2009.