Community attitudes towards "incomes at the bottom are too low"
This chart shows the responses in our Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality survey to the concept of whether incomes at the bottom are too low. In 2025, 73% of people in Australia agreed that incomes at the bottom are too low and should be increased. In 2023, 76% of people in Australia agreed that incomes at the bottom are too low and should be increased. *Note: Question wording in the 2023 survey was Incomes at the bottom are too low and should be increased
Demographic distribution of community attitudes towards "incomes at the bottom are too low"
This chart shows the responses in our Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality survey to the concept of whether incomes at the bottom are too low. By age: People aged 51 to 67 agreed most (77%) and people aged 18 to 30 agreed least (71%). By gender: More women agreed with this statement (79%) than men (69%). By income: People in the lowest income quintile agreed most (79%) and people in the highest income quintile agreed least (68%). By income support payment: People in the lowest income quintile who were receiving JobSeeker agreed most (80%) and people receiving parenting payments agreed least (72%). By employment status: People who were not in the labour force agreed most with this statement (81%) and people who were employed full-time agreed least (70%). By income source: People who were self-employed agreed most (82%) and people receiving wages or with investment or other main income sources agreed least (72%). By housing tenure: Tenants in private housing agreed…
Community attitudes towards "the gap between the wealthy and those in poverty is too great and should be reduced"
This chart shows the responses in our Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality survey 2023 to the idea that The gap between rich and poor is too great and should be reduced. In 2025, 76% of people agreed that the gap between the wealthy and those living in poverty is too great and should be reduced. In 2023, 74% of people agreed that the gap between the wealthy and those living in poverty is too great and should be reduced.
Demographic distribution of community attitudes towards "the gap between the wealthy and those in poverty is too great and should be reduced"
This chart shows the demographic distribution of responses in our Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality survey 2023 to the idea that The gap between rich and poor is too great and should be reduced. By age: Agreement increased by age group, from 72% (aged 18 to 30) to 80% (aged 68 and above). By gender: Women (77%) and men (75%) had similar levels of agreement. By income: Agreement decreased by income group, from 80% (lowest quintile) to 73% (highest quintile). By income support payment: People in the lowest income quintile who were receiving carer payments agreed most (86%) and people receiving parenting payments agreed least (76%). By employment status: People who were not in the labour force agreed most (80%) and people in full-time employment agreed least (74%). By income type: People receiving government income support payments agreed most (82%) and people who were self-employed agreed least (69%). By housing tenure: Tenants in private rental agreed most (79%)…
Average annual change in disposable income during COVID-19
This chart shows how income inequality declined sharply in year one of the Covid recovery (2020-21) but was restored to its previous level in year two (2021-22). [infogram id="_/GVjE476awTwerirKWLuM" prefix="4FW" format="interactive" title="2023 Average annual change in disposable income lockdowns and recovery"] It shows that, in year one (2020-21), inequality declined. The average income of the lowest 20% grew by 5.2% after inflation, compared with 3% for the middle 20% and 2.4% for the highest 20%. In year two (2021-22) this pattern was reversed. The average income of the lowest 20% fell by 3.5%, compared with a fall of 0.5% for the middle 20% and a fall of 0.1% for the highest 20%. When we compare average growth in incomes for the two-year recovery period from 2019-20 to 2021-22, these effects largely cancel each other out leaving little change in income inequality overall. The income of the lowest 20% grew by an average of 0.8% per year, compared with 1.3% per year for the middle…
Average changes in hours worked and household incomes during COVID-19
This chart shows the changes in incomes and work hours during first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. [infogram id="_/1dV8AA0plBuj2h9mh8zu" prefix="4Jg" format="interactive" title="2023 average changes in hours worked and household incomes"] It shows that, during ‘year one’ of recovery (2020-21), average household after-tax incomes grew by an extraordinary 3.1% after inflation, much faster than average income growth since the Global Financial Crisis. This occurred despite strict COVID lockdowns and the economic uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, which reduced average paid working hours per capita by 0.5% compared to hours worked in 2019-20. During ‘year two’ (2021-22), these trends were reversed. Average household incomes declined by 0.7% after inflation despite the reduced severity of lockdowns and a solid 2.4% increase in overall paid working hours per capita.
Average wealth per adult in 2020
[infogram id="_/mIjUrZvfD3DxGdqIblfo" prefix="qwb" format="interactive" title="Average wealth per adult in 2020 ($AUS)"] According to Credit Suisse’s Global Wealth Report, the average wealth of Australian households was $628,000 per adult in 2020, the fourth highest in the world behind Switzerland, the United States and Hong Kong (North America as shown on the graph refers to the region, as does Asia-Pacific and Europe).
Average wealth of households by age, as a percentage of the average wealth of all (%)
[infogram id="_/ttwWUYDlFm7cWHBFhax4" prefix="Gs2" format="interactive" title="Average wealth of households by age as a percentage of average wealth of all"] This graph shows that wealth inequality has increased across generations since 2003, especially in the distribution of owner-occupied housing. As a proportion of the average value of owner-occupied homes held across all age groups: • The average value held in households with a reference person under 35 years fell from 31% in 2003 to 26% in 2021; • That of those aged 35-44 years fell from 82% in 2003 to 69%; • That of those aged 64 years rose from 140% in 2003 to 144%.
