This shows average weekly incomes from wages (before tax) in each of the income groups.

The highest 20% of households receives almost three times the average wages of the middle income group (averaging $4,363 per week before tax compared with $1,645), while the middle 20% receives six times as much as the lowest 20% ($1,645 compared with $256).

Differences in average earnings received by household income groups are the result of variations in the proportion of people employed in different household income groups and the number of hours they work (see this graph), and their hourly pay.