The economy is on a knife edge. An interest rate change could tip the balance

The economy is on a knife edge. An interest rate change could tip the balance

The RBA board said it was not yet confident inflation was definitely tracking down in its estimated time frame. Here’s what the board will be watching closely to make sure it does.

  • byRachel Clun

Latest

Income inequality a sleeper issue that threatens our egalitarian ethos

Income inequality a sleeper issue that threatens our egalitarian ethos

The disparity between incomes is turning Sydney into a tale of two cities.

  • The Herald's View
Sydney’s rich getting richer:How do incomes in your suburb stack up?
Exclusive
Pay

Sydney’s rich getting richer:How do incomes in your suburb stack up?

Check out our interactive map to reveal how average incomes vary across Sydney suburbs.

  • byMatt Wade andCraig Butt
Good news:Our falling productivity is too bad to be true

Good news:Our falling productivity is too bad to be true

Our stunning fall in productivity may mean the world’s coming to an end,but it’s more likely to mean there’s something funny going on with the figures.

  • byRoss Gittins
Real wages grow for first time in nearly three years
Updated
Jobs

Real wages grow for first time in nearly three years

Australians’ wages rose by 4.2 per cent over the year to December - the highest annual growth since March 2009.

  • byShane Wright andRachel Clun
The migrant boost:How immigrants to Australia are lifting wages

The migrant boost:How immigrants to Australia are lifting wages

Amid a growing debate about Australia’s population and migrant intake,four new research papers show immigrants are boosting wages.

  • byShane Wright
Advertisement
Job handcuffs costing workers $7500 a year in lower wages
Exclusive
Competition

Job handcuffs costing workers $7500 a year in lower wages

One of the best ways to get a pay rise is moving to another company. But contract clauses are on the rise that are shackling workers to low-paying employers.

  • byShane Wright
‘A pretty grim picture’:Biggest expense for many households blows out

‘A pretty grim picture’:Biggest expense for many households blows out

Although everyone faces a cost of living crisis,tenants are under extra pressure as asking rents soar faster than wages – and it’s even worse in some areas.

  • byElizabeth Redman
Household relief predicted but shocks loom:What to expect from the economy in 2024

Household relief predicted but shocks loom:What to expect from the economy in 2024

The coming year should deliver Australians their first real wage rise since 2021 and a drop in interest rates. But economic shocks could be on their way.

  • byShane Wright
Wages growth ends for small business staff as rates and inflation bite
Exclusive
Jobs

Wages growth ends for small business staff as rates and inflation bite

Small and medium-sized businesses are now feeling the pinch from interest rates and inflation,with staff paying the price with a drop in wages.

  • byShane Wright
Are Australians really getting lazier? Probably not,says this economist

Are Australians really getting lazier? Probably not,says this economist

The Reserve Bank is worried about falling productivity levels,but a former senior RBA official says the worry may be misplaced.

  • byShane Wright