There are numerous AWOTE tables published by ABS. The AWOTE tables below are those used to index certain superannuation thresholds including contribution caps and ETP caps.
From time to time, the ABS issue revised tables to correct previous errors. However for superannuation purposes the ATO do not use these amended historical indices. Therefore the ATO indices are a mixture of various ABS tables and for historical purposes the current ABS tables should not be used for superannuation purposes.
The ATO is using ABS Catalogue 6302.0, Table 3 - Series A85002148L. Previously ATO indices were taken from a number of series which have now been discontinued.
The index number for a quarter is the estimate of full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings for the middle month of the quarter published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that month.
AWOTE is one week’s average earnings of full-time equivalents attributable to award, standard or agreed hours of work, calculated prior to taxation and any other deductions such as superannuation. AWOTE does not include employer superannuation contributions.
Average weekly earnings statistics represent average gross (before tax) earnings of employees and do not relate to average award rates, nor to the earnings of the ‘average person’. Estimates of average weekly earnings are derived by dividing estimates of weekly total earnings by estimates of number of employees. Changes in the averages may therefore be affected not only by changes in the level of earnings of employees, but also by changes in the overall composition of the wage and salary earner segment of the labour force.