The first half of this graph shows the share of each group of people with a particular characteristic who are in the lowest 20% income group of households.

Older people, single people and sole parents, and those who rely mainly on government income support payments are more likely to be in the lowest 20% income group.

The most important influence on incomes is labour force status. People living in households where the household reference person is not in the labour force or is unemployed are much more likely to be in the lowest 20% income group.

People living in Tasmania and South Australia are also more likely to be in lowest 20%, along with people living outside capital cities.

The second half of this graph shows that those more likely to be in the highest 20% income group are of working-age and in couple households without children (noting that income is adjusted to take account of the costs of children).

People employed fulltime are more likely to be in the highest 20%, along with those whose main income comes from investments. People living in Sydney, Perth, the ACT or NT are also more likely to be in the highest 20%.