Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses in the mining industry rose 0.5 per cent (in original terms) in the September quarter, marking a 5.2 per cent yearly increase.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Quarterly Index of Wage Prices, mining saw the largest wage rises over the year to September 2012, behind wholesale trade (up 5.3%).

The index reported a 0.9 per cent increase for both public and private sectors from the June quarter and rose 3.7 per cent from a year earlier.

The private sector rise (3.8%) continues to show stronger growth than the public sector (3.3%).

Tasmania recorded the largest quarterly rise of 1.8% in the private sector, while Western Australia continued to show the largest rise through the year, reaching 4.6%.

Victoria recorded the smallest quarterly rise along with the ACT (1.0%), which also recorded the smallest growth through the year (3.0%).

Professional, scientific and technical services recorded the largest quarterly all sectors rise (1.8%) in the September quarter 2012. Financial and insurance services had the smallest (0.4%). The All sectors through the year rise to the September quarter 2012 ranged from 2.3% for Retail trade to 5.3% for Wholesale trade.

A national minimum wage increase of 2.9% with effect from 1 July 2012 was granted by Fair Work Australia in June 2012. This increase in minimum wage rates impacted the wage price index (WPI) in the September quarter 2012, the ABS said.

For more information on the ABS Quarterly Index of Wage Prices, click here.