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Australia’s Income and Wealth Distribution

Curious about how wealth and income are distributed across the different generations in Australia? In this updated version of the Wealth and Income infographic, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics we break down Australia’s income and wealth distribution and look at how it compares across the generations.

This infographic features key stats and visuals demonstrating the average household income and net worth in Australia as well as how wealth and income are divided among the population.

Australia's income and wealth distribution by generation

The average full-time annual earnings is $97,510 with household gross annual income at $121,108. Generation Y households make up 15% of the population and own 5% of the share of the national wealth with an average household net worth of $353,800. Boomers are the best off financially, having around double the share in national wealth compared to their population size. Interestingly both the Older Boomers (age 65-74) and Builders (age 75+) have an average income below the national average, but both have a net worth above the national average. Showing the effects of wealth accumulation while income tapers off into retirement.

Piggy bank

The gap between rich and poor

There is some disparity between the top 20% and the bottom 20%. The average earnings of the top 20% are 12x the average earnings of the bottom 20% and the wealth of the average household in the top 20% is 93x the average wealth of those in the bottom 20%.

 

 

The average household gross income is $121,108, however the top 20% of households earn 48% of all income. With the bottom 20% who are left with 4% of Australia’s income. Income aside, many Australians have their wealth stored in property.

A snapshot of income and house prices

The average full-time annual earnings for Australians is $97,510 with a median house price of $1,008,998 or 10.3x annual earnings. The median unit price is $596,771 which is 6.1x annual earnings. But this hasn't always been the case, income relative to house prices has changed significantly over the last 40 years.

A snapshot of Australia’s Income and Wealth Distribution

Are we better or worse off than our parents were?

From 1981 to 2021, the average full-time total earnings for Australian adults increased 5.9 times, from $15,800 (1981) to $93,500 (November 2021). Today the average adult full time wage is $97,510 with median house prices across Australia at $1,008,988 or 10.3 times the average earnings. It is no wonder millennials are living at home longer and studying longer.

 

Read more – The fading Australian dream of home ownership

Previous Wealth and Income infographics

Wealth and Income infographic

Curious about how wealth and income are distributed across different generations in Australia? This infographic provides a detailed look at the annual income and household wealth of Builders, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.