--- title: "Income distribution in Australia: what each percentile ea..." description: "The average full-time salary in Australia is often quoted at around $106,000 a year. But that figure does not show what most people earn. The median taxable inc" lang: en-AU json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Income distribution in Australia: what each income percentile earns", "description": "The average full-time salary in Australia is often quoted at around $106,000 a year. But that figure does not show what most people earn. The median taxable income across all individual tax returns is $55,868, while the median income for employees is higher at $74,100.", "image": [ "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1497215842964-222b430dc094" ], "datePublished": "2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-07-02T05:03:48.474514+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "CheckRate" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "CheckRate" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://checkrate.com.au/income-distribution" } } --- [CheckRate ](/) [Library](/articles) Back Spending # Income distribution in Australia: what each income percentile earns The average full-time salary in Australia is often quoted at around $106,000 a year. But that figure does not show what most people earn. The median taxable income across all individual tax returns is $55,868, while the median income for employees is higher at $74,100. 15 min read 02 June 2026 Updated 02 July 2026 Fact checked In this article 1. [Median income in Australia vs average salary](#median-income-in-australia-vs-average-salary) 2. [What each income decile earns: from the bottom 10% to the top 10%](#what-each-income-decile-earns-from-the-bottom-10-to-the-top-10) 3. [What counts as a low income in Australia?](#what-counts-as-a-low-income-in-australia) 4. [What counts as a middle income in Australia?](#what-counts-as-a-middle-income-in-australia) 5. [What income puts an individual in the top 10% of Australian earners?](#what-income-puts-an-individual-in-the-top-10-of-australian-earners) 6. [What income puts an individual in the top 1% of Australian earners?](#what-income-puts-an-individual-in-the-top-1-of-australian-earners) 7. [Income inequality fell in 2022–23](#income-inequality-fell-in-202223) Key figures $55,868 **Median taxable income (ATO),** midpoint of all individual tax returns, 2022–23 $74,100 **Median income, all employees (ABS),** midpoint of all workers including part-time, August 2025 $142,000+ **Top 10% income threshold,** taxable income needed to reach the top 10% of Australian earners 14.2% **Below the poverty line,** share of Australians living below the relative poverty threshold in 2025 Section 01 National overview ## Median income in Australia vs average salary The median taxable income in Australia was **$55,868** in 2022-23. The median is the midpoint of the income range, meaning half of all individual taxpayers earned more and half earned less. The full-time average salary commonly quoted in Australia was $106,657. Both figures come from official sources, but they measure different groups. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) records income for people who file tax returns, including part-time workers, casual employees, retirees with some taxable income, and platform or contract workers. Because this is a broad group, the median taxable income is lower. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects earnings data through employer payroll records, and some ABS figures cover full-time workers only. This can push the average much higher, especially when higher earners are included. ABS full-time average (mean) Employer payroll data, Nov 2025 $106,657 per year · full-time workers only 1.9× difference ATO median, all taxpayers All individuals, 2022–23 $55,868 per year · all individual taxpayers Within each dataset, the gap between the mean and the median also matters. The mean is the mathematical average: all incomes are added together and then divided by the number of people. A small number of very high earners, such as senior executives, specialist doctors, and top earners in finance and mining, can pull the mean well above where most Australians sit. The median is less affected by very high earners because it simply marks the midpoint. ATO mean — all individuals $74,240 2022–23 taxable income ATO median — all individuals $55,868 2022–23 taxable income ABS mean — full-time adults $106,657 Annual earnings, Nov 2025 ABS median — full-time adults $90,532 Annual earnings, Aug 2025 Mean vs median income: key Australian datasets compared Annual gross income, ATO 2022–23 and ABS 2025. Dark bars show the mean; light bars show the median. Mean Median The full-time ABS dataset shows the widest gap between mean ($106,657) and median ($90,532), a $16,125 difference driven by high earners at the top end. The ABS all-employees median ($74,100) sits at almost the same level as the ATO mean ($74,240), even though both figures come from different populations measured in different ways. **Source:** ATO Taxation Statistics 2022–23; ABS Average Weekly Earnings (Cat. 6302.0), Nov 2025; ABS Employee Earnings (Cat. 6333.0), Aug 2025. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) The ABS all-employees median of $74,100 per year, or $1,425 per week, is a useful single figure for comparing individual incomes. It covers full-time and part-time workers, uses recent data, and is not pulled upward by high earners in the same way as the mean. It is a useful benchmark for describing typical employee income, living costs and mortgage affordability. What is the latest median income in Australia? + It depends on which dataset is used. The ATO median, which is the midpoint of all individual tax returns, was **$55,868** in 2022–23. The ABS median for all employees, including part-time workers, was **$74,100 per year**, or $1,425 per week, as at August 2025. The ATO figure is lower because it includes people working minimal hours or reporting small amounts of secondary income. The ABS figure is higher because it covers people who are actively employed. Why does the ATO show a lower income figure than the ABS? + The ATO records everyone who files a tax return, including people working a few hours a week, casual workers between jobs, and retirees with a small taxable income. The ABS collects income data from employer payroll records and counts workers who are actively employed. Limiting the count to full-time adult workers produces a higher figure, **$106,657**, because it excludes many part-time and low-hour workers who pull the broader average down. Both figures are accurate. They answer different questions. Which income figure best represents what the typical Australian earns? + The ABS median for all employees, **$74,100 per year**, is generally a useful benchmark. It represents the midpoint of actively employed Australians, uses recent data, and is not skewed by very high earners in the same way as the mean. The ATO median of $55,868 is more useful for comparisons with the broader taxpayer population, which includes many low-hour earners and people with secondary income sources. The ABS full-time median of $90,532 applies specifically to people in full-time work. Section 02 Deciles & percentiles ## What each income decile earns: from the bottom 10% to the top 10% The **12.6 million** Australians who reported a positive taxable income in 2022–23 can be divided into ten income groups, known as deciles. Each decile contains about **1.26 million** people. The bottom decile earns up to **$32,134** per year. The middle deciles range from **$59,216** to **$81,008**. The top decile starts at **$156,593**, with no upper limit. About the data The income table and calculator later in this article use ATO taxable income data for 2022–23, the most recent year with full income distribution data published. The figures cover people with a positive taxable income only. All amounts are gross (before tax) and do not include superannuation contributions or non-taxable government payments such as family tax benefits. Income by decile: taxable income thresholds and individual counts ATO 2022–23. Each decile contains approximately 1,264,773 people with taxable income. Decile Income range Upper limit Number of people Income class Bottom 10% Up to $32,134 $32,134 1,264,830 Low income 10th–20th $32,135 – $41,590 $41,590 1,264,802 Low income 20th–30th $41,591 – $50,201 $50,201 1,264,783 Lower-middle 30th–40th $50,202 – $59,215 $59,215 1,264,790 Lower-middle 40th–50th (median) $59,216 – $69,161 $69,161 1,264,680 Middle 50th–60th $69,162 – $81,008 $81,008 1,264,817 Middle 60th–70th $81,009 – $96,173 $96,173 1,264,745 Upper-middle 70th–80th $96,174 – $117,412 $117,412 1,264,747 Upper-middle 80th–90th $117,413 – $156,592 $156,592 1,264,768 High income Top 10% $156,593 and above No upper limit 1,264,767 High income People counts are totalled from ATO national figures for each income band. Total across all deciles: 12,647,729 taxable individuals. ATO Taxation Statistics 2022–23. **Source:** ATO Taxation Statistics 2022–23, Percentile distribution of taxable individuals by taxable income, state/territory and sex. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) The income ranges within each decile are not evenly sized. Lower deciles span narrow bands while upper deciles span much wider ones. A $100,000 salary, for example, sits in approximately the 73rd percentile of ATO taxpayers, well above most of the working population. Upper income limit by decile The highest income in each decile. The top decile has no upper limit; the bar is capped at $220,000 for display. Deciles 3 through 5 together cover about $27,570 in combined income range (from $41,591 to $69,161), while decile 9 alone spans $39,179. The top decile starts at $156,593 with no upper limit and still contains the same 1.26 million people as every other decile. **Source:** ATO Taxation Statistics 2022–23, Percentile distribution of taxable individuals. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) Where does a $100,000 income rank in Australia? + A gross income of **$100,000** sits around the 73rd to 74th percentile of ATO taxable individuals. This means it is higher than the income reported by about 73% of the 12.6 million people in the dataset. Against the ABS all-employees distribution, $100,000 is above the median of $74,100, but below the 75th percentile threshold of about $110,604. This places it in the upper-middle income range. These are all pre-tax figures. How many Australians earn more than $150,000 per year? + The 90th percentile upper limit is **$156,592**, which means about 1.26 million taxable individuals in the top decile earned above this level in 2022–23. Because $150,000 falls within the 80th to 90th percentile band, rather than above it, a slightly larger group earned more than $150,000. That is roughly 1.3 million to 1.4 million people, or about 10% to 11% of the ATO dataset. What percentage of Australians earn more than $50,000? + The upper limit of the 30th percentile is **$50,201**. This means around 70% of taxable individuals earned more than $50,000 in 2022–23, or about 8.8 million Australians. The remaining 30%, or about 3.8 million people, earned $50,201 or less. This group includes many part-time and casual workers, as well as people who only worked for part of the year. Section 03 Low income ## What counts as a low income in Australia? Short answer Three figures show the lower end of Australia's income scale in 2026. The national minimum wage is **$948 per week**, or $49,296 per year. The ACOSS relative poverty line, set at 50% of median household income for a single adult, is **$584 per week**, or $30,368 per year. The base JobSeeker payment is **$404.35 per week**, or $21,026 per year. That is $179.65 below the poverty line. An estimated 3.7 million Australians, or 14.2% of the population, live below the poverty threshold. A full-time minimum wage worker sits $364 per week above the poverty line. A person relying solely on the base JobSeeker payment is **$179.65** per week below it. JobSeeker payment $404.35 per week · $21,026 per year Base rate for a single adult with no dependants, effective March 2026. This is the income floor for Australians between jobs. ACOSS poverty line $584 per week · $30,368 per year Set at 50% of the median household income for a single adult. An estimated 3.7 million Australians (14.2%) live below this line. National minimum wage $948 per week · $49,296 per year Effective 1 July 2025, after a 3.5% increase by the Fair Work Commission. A full-time minimum wage worker sits $364 per week above the poverty line. ACOSS poverty line Relative poverty threshold · single adult $584 per week JobSeeker payment Government base rate · March 2026 $404 per week \+ $179.65 below poverty line The **$179.65** weekly gap between the base JobSeeker payment and the poverty line shows how limited that income is for people who rely on it alone. At that level, paying market rent and covering basic utilities can be difficult without other income or government supplements. People already below the poverty line have incomes averaging **$390** per week below the threshold. For families with children, the average gap is **$464** per week. This shows that the shortfall is not small or temporary for many households. The minimum wage offers more protection for people in full-time work. It sits **$364** per week above the poverty line. However, many Australians work part-time, casually, or in contract and platform-based roles, and do not earn the full annualised minimum wage. A casual worker on the minimum award rate working **20 hours** per week earns about **$25,945** per year, based on **$24.95** per hour over **52 weeks**. That is above the poverty line, but leaves little room for higher rent, utilities, transport or other essential costs. What is the poverty line for a single person in Australia in 2026? + The ACOSS relative poverty line for a single adult in 2026 is **$584 per week**, or $30,368 per year. ACOSS, the Australian Council of Social Service, sets this at 50% of national median household income. An estimated 3.7 million Australians, or 14.2% of the population, live below this level. Because it is a relative measure, the poverty line moves with median household income rather than tracking a fixed cost of living. Other poverty measures also exist. These include the Henderson poverty line and the OECD threshold, which uses 60% of median income and produces higher figures. Is JobSeeker enough to live on in Australia in 2026? + The base JobSeeker payment of **$404.35 per week**, or $21,026 per year, sits $179.65 per week below the ACOSS poverty line of $584 per week. A single adult relying only on the base rate, without Rent Assistance or other supplements, falls below the poverty threshold. Some recipients receive Rent Assistance and other payments that reduce this gap, but many remain below the poverty line even with those additions. How many Australians are below the poverty line? + Approximately 3.7 million Australians, or **14.2%** of the population, live below the ACOSS relative poverty line, defined as 50% of median household income. People below the line have incomes averaging $390 per week below the threshold. Families with children average $464 per week below it. The share rises to around 17% to 20% under the OECD measure, which uses 60% of median income as the threshold. Section 04 Middle income ## What counts as a middle income in Australia? Short answer The middle 20% of all employees, those between the 40th and 60th percentiles, earn between approximately **$65,000 and $88,400 per year**. The median for all employees is **$74,100 per year** or $1,425 per week. At the median income of **$74,100**, a worker earns more than half the workforce and less than the other half. Because the median is based on position rather than an average, it is not pulled upward by high earners. This makes it a useful single figure for representing the typical Australian in employment. What that income covers depends heavily on where a person lives. The same **$74,100** will usually go further in regional areas than in high-cost inner-city markets such as Sydney, where rent can take up a much larger share of income. In major capital cities, housing, transport and everyday costs can leave less room in the budget for someone earning around the national median. ### The gender pay gap at the median Among full-time workers, the median gender pay gap is **$210** per week, or **$10,920** per year. Men earn a median of **$1,841** per week, or **$95,732** per year, compared with **$1,631** per week, or **$84,812** per year, for women. When part-time and casual workers are included, the gap widens to **$350** per week, or **$18,200** per year. Median weekly earnings by gender: full-time and all employees ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. All figures are median weekly earnings in main job. Full-time employees Men $1,841/wk $95,732/yr Women $1,631/wk $84,812/yr * * * All employees (including part-time and casual) Men $1,600/wk $83,200/yr Women $1,250/wk $65,000/yr The $210 per week gap among full-time workers grows to $350 per week ($18,200 per year) when all employee types are included. The larger all-employee gap reflects the higher proportion of women in part-time and casual roles. This is a structural feature of the workforce, not simply a difference in hourly pay rates. **Source:** ABS Employee Earnings, Australia (Cat. 6333.0), August 2025, median weekly earnings in main job. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) 45–54 Peak earning years in Australia The 45 to 54 age group has the highest median weekly earnings of any age group, at **$1,750 per week**, or **$91,000 per year**. Earnings rise through a person's 20s and 30s, peak in this window, then fall toward retirement. Workers with a postgraduate degree earn a median of **$1,893 per week**, compared with $988 per week for those with no post-school qualifications. Postgraduate degree, median earnings $1,893/wk $98,436 per year, compared with $988 per week with no post-school qualifications No post-school qualifications, median earnings $988/wk $51,376 per year, below the 30th percentile threshold What is considered a middle-class income in Australia in 2026? + Statistically, the middle class covers the middle 20% of earners, between the 40th and 60th percentiles of the all-employee income distribution. This range runs from about **$65,000 to $88,400 per year**, with the median at $74,100 per year, or $1,425 per week. People in this range typically earn too much to qualify for most government support, but may have limited money left over for saving or investing after housing and everyday costs, especially in major capital cities. How large is the gender pay gap in Australia in 2026? + Among full-time adult workers, it is **$210 per week**, or $10,920 per year. Men earn a median of $1,841 per week, compared with $1,631 per week for women. Across all employment types, including part-time and casual roles, the gap grows to $350 per week, or $18,200 per year, as women hold a higher share of part-time roles. The gap has narrowed since the 1970s but persists due to differences in occupation type, career breaks linked to caring responsibilities, and lower representation in senior roles. At what age do Australians earn the most? + The **45 to 54 age group** records the highest median weekly earnings, at $1,750 per week, or $91,000 per year. Earnings typically rise through the 20s and 30s as workers gain skills and experience, peak between 45 and 54, then taper as workers approach retirement. This means younger workers who are starting families or trying to buy a home may still be some distance from their highest-earning years. Section 05 Top 10% ## What income puts an individual in the top 10% of Australian earners? Short answer A taxable income above **$142,000** places an individual in the top 10% of Australian earners, based on Parliamentary Budget Office modelling. The ATO's income distribution data puts the entry point higher, at **$156,593**, because it only covers people with a positive taxable income. Together, the two sources suggest the top 10% threshold sits between $142,000 and $157,000, covering about 1.26 million people. $142k+ Top 10% income threshold A declared taxable income above $142,000 places an individual in the top 10% of Australian taxpayers. This group includes approximately **1.26 million people**, spanning experienced professionals, specialists, senior managers, and workers in higher-paid industries such as resources, finance, and medicine. ### Western Australia has a higher share of top income earners Western Australia accounts for around **10.1%** of people with taxable income at the median, broadly in line with its population share. In the top decile, its share rises to **14.0%**. The ACT also has a higher share of top earners than its population size suggests. It accounts for **2.6%** of the top decile, despite representing about **1.9%** of the median distribution. This reflects the concentration of senior public sector and professional services jobs in Canberra. WA's advantage is not evenly spread across all upper-income groups. Its share rises from **10.1%** at the median to **14.0%** in the top decile, but falls back to **11.2%** among the top **1%**. That pattern reflects WA's strength in well-paid mining roles below the very highest income levels. The top **1%** is more heavily concentrated in NSW and Victoria, where corporate and financial sector earners make up a larger share of the highest-income group. Each state's share of taxable individuals: at the median vs in the top decile ATO 2022–23. Each state's share of taxable individuals at the median vs the top decile. - Share at median - Share in top decile WA's share of taxable individuals goes from 10.1% at the median to 14.0% in the top decile, driven by higher wages in the mining sector. South Australia's share falls from 7.5% to 4.6%, and Queensland's from 21.1% to 17.4%, reflecting fewer high-wage industries in those states. NSW and the ACT both increase their share at the top. **Source:** ATO Taxation Statistics 2022–23, Percentile distribution of taxable individuals by state/territory. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) What salary puts an individual in the top 10% in Australia? + A declared taxable income above **$142,000** places an individual in the top decile of Australian taxpayers, based on Parliamentary Budget Office modelling. The ATO puts the top decile entry point higher, at $156,593. The $14,593 difference reflects the different populations covered. Together, both sources point to a top 10% threshold in the $142,000 to $157,000 range. These figures include salary, wages and other taxable income, but exclude discounted capital gains. Which Australian state has the highest income? + New South Wales has the largest share of high-income earners in absolute terms. It accounts for approximately **34.5%** of the top decile despite representing about 29.8% of the median distribution. Western Australia has the highest over-representation relative to its population. Its share of the top decile is 14.0%, compared with 10.1% at the median. This reflects higher wages in the mining and resources sector. The ACT also has a higher share of top earners than its population size suggests. Why does WA have more high earners than its population would suggest? + WA's higher share of earners in the upper percentile range reflects the higher wages paid in the resources sector. Mining workers in WA often earn above national averages because of FIFO allowances, remote area loadings, overtime pay, and demand for specialised trades and engineering workers. WA's share of the top decile is **14.0%**, compared with 10.1% at the median. The advantage fades at the very highest income levels. NSW accounts for around 39% of the top 1%, consistent with the concentration of corporate and financial sector jobs in Sydney. Section 06 Top 1% ## What income puts an individual in the top 1% of Australian earners? Short answer A declared taxable income above **$362,900** places an individual in the top 1% of Australian taxpayers, based on Parliamentary Budget Office modelling. The top 2% threshold is $262,400. These figures reflect declared taxable income only. They do not capture the full financial position of the wealthiest individuals, especially where capital gains are involved. Capital gains from assets such as property or shares may only be partly included in taxable income under CGT discount rules. Top 10% threshold $142,000+ Declared taxable income · PBO / ATO data Top 2% threshold $262,400+ PBO / ATO data Top 1% threshold $362,900+ PBO / ATO data ### Why high-income earners can pay different tax rates For most income levels, effective tax rates broadly follow the official tax scale. Above **$187,000**, however, the rate paid can vary more widely between individuals. For someone in the top **1%** declaring **$390,000**, the lowest **10%** of effective tax rates falls to just **19%**. That means **10%** of people at this income level pay a lower effective tax rate than many Australians earning **$71,000**. 19% Lowest effective tax rate among people declaring $390,000 Through the CGT discount, deductions, and other legal arrangements, this is lower than the rate paid by many workers on $71,000 83% Share of CGT discount revenue foregone captured by the top 10% The 50% CGT discount benefits those with the most assets to sell None of these arrangements are unlawful. They reflect options available under Australian tax law. They do illustrate that declared taxable income and actual income can differ considerably at the very top of the distribution. This is important when comparing income figures across different datasets. What income puts an individual in the top 1% in Australia? + A declared taxable income above **$362,900** places an individual in the top 1% of Australian taxpayers, based on Parliamentary Budget Office modelling. The ATO's own data shows the top 1% starting above $408,974, covering approximately 126,476 people. The Budget Office's lower threshold reflects a broader taxpayer population. Income from assets held for more than 12 months can qualify for the CGT 50% discount, meaning only half of that gain is counted as taxable income. How do the highest-earning Australians reduce their tax? + Several features of the tax system can reduce taxable income or the tax paid on some income types. These include: - The CGT 50% discount, which halves the taxable portion of capital gains on assets held for more than 12 months - Large deductions, such as investment property loan interest - Structuring income through a company, trust or self-managed superannuation fund at a lower tax rate - Timing when assets are sold to control when a gain is declared ATO data shows that 10% of people declaring $390,000 pay an effective tax rate as low as 19%, below the rate paid by many workers earning $71,000. What is the average income of the top 1% in Australia? + The precise mean income of the top 1% is not published directly in ATO summary tables. The ATO data shows the 99th percentile band spanning **$292,594 to $408,973**, with the top 1% starting above $408,974. The average capital gain alone for people in the top 1% was $850,690 in 2022–23. Given that some individuals in this group earn very high incomes, the mean income of the top 1% is likely to sit well above the entry threshold. Section 07 Income inequality ## Income inequality fell in 2022–23 Short answer The Gini coefficient is a standard measure of how evenly income or wealth is spread across a population. A score of 0 means complete equality, while a score of 1 means one person holds everything. Australia's income Gini coefficient fell from **0.323 in 2021–22** to **0.307 in 2022–23**, reversing the increase recorded in the previous period. The decline was linked to low unemployment and above-inflation minimum wage increases. Wealth inequality tells a different story. Australia's wealth Gini coefficient is approximately **0.606**, more than twice the income Gini. Australia's income Gini was **0.323 in both 2015–16 and 2021–22**, up from **0.299 in 2002–03**, before falling to **0.307 in 2022–23**. This means income inequality rose over the longer term before easing in the latest available year. Gini coefficient for household income: selected years ABS Survey of Income and Housing. Lower values indicate a more equal income distribution. Wealth Gini shown for comparison at 2022–23. Income Gini coefficient Wealth Gini (reference, 2022–23) - Income Gini The 0.016-point fall in the income Gini between 2021–22 and 2022–23 is the largest single-period improvement in the series. It was driven by low unemployment and Fair Work Commission decisions lifting minimum and award wages above inflation. The wealth Gini of approximately 0.606 is more than twice the income Gini. **Source:** ABS Measuring What Matters: Income and wealth inequality, 2022–23. ![CheckRate](/__l5e/assets-v1/7bc4597d-01a6-41ce-b2ee-e3271c8e8b60/checkrate-logo.png) 0.307 Income Gini coefficient, 2022–23 Down from 0.323 in 2021–22. Income inequality fell as unemployment dropped and minimum wages rose above inflation. 0.606 Wealth Gini coefficient, approx. 2022–23 More than twice the income Gini. Ownership of property, shares, and superannuation remains far more concentrated than wage income. When unemployment is low, employers need to compete for workers across all types of jobs. That gives lower-paid workers more bargaining power and leads to faster wage growth at the lower end of the scale. The **3.5%** increase to the National Minimum Wage in 2025–26, following similar above-inflation rises in earlier years, lifted the income floor for the lowest-paid workers. The gap between the income Gini (0.307) and the wealth Gini (approximately 0.606) is large. While wages at the lower end of the job market have grown, the top decile continues to accumulate property, shares, and investment assets at a rate that lower-income groups cannot match through wages alone. The two Gini coefficients describe genuinely different aspects of inequality in Australia. Is income inequality getting better or worse in Australia? + Income inequality improved in the latest available data. The Gini coefficient fell from **0.323 in 2021–22 to 0.307 in 2022–23**. The improvement was driven mainly by low unemployment and above-inflation minimum wage increases, which lifted wages at the lower end faster than at the top. Whether this continues will depend on labour market conditions, wage growth and government policy. What does a Gini coefficient of 0.307 mean in practice? + The Gini coefficient runs from 0 to 1, where 0 means everyone earns the same and 1 means one person holds everything. A score of **0.307** means Australia's income distribution is moderately unequal. In global terms, Australia sits in a similar range to Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. A Gini around 0.30 typically means the top 20% of households receive about 40% to 45% of household income, while the bottom 20% receive around 7% to 9%. The ABS figure is based on after-tax income adjusted for household size. Why is wealth inequality so much higher than income inequality in Australia? + Income is earned over a year and flows broadly through the economy. Wealth accumulates over a lifetime through property price growth, investment returns, superannuation, and business ownership, and it grows faster for people who start with more. The benefit of the CGT discount is heavily concentrated: the top 10% of income earners receive about **83%** of it, and the top 1% alone receive close to 60%. This means investment gains flow mainly to those who already hold large assets. Income finder Find a position in the _income distribution_ Enter a gross (before-tax) income to see where it sits among 12.6 million Australians with a taxable income, how it compares to key income thresholds, and which income class it falls into. Based on ATO data for 2022–23. Gross income (before tax) $ Period annualweekly Calculate › General information only This article uses publicly available data from the ATO, ABS, ACOSS, Fair Work Commission, Services Australia and other government and research bodies. It is general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Income figures reflect population-level data at specific points in time and may not reflect individual circumstances. The income calculator uses ATO 2022–23 taxable income data, the most recent published income distribution. It should be treated as a guide only, not a precise ranking tool. Before making financial decisions, consider seeking independent professional advice. References 1. [Australian Taxation Office. Taxation Statistics 2022–23](https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/research-and-statistics/in-detail/taxation-statistics/taxation-statistics-2022-23/), Individuals, Table 3: taxable income percentile distribution by state, territory and sex. 2. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Average Weekly Earnings, Australia (Cat. No. 6302.0)](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release): November 2025, released February 2026. 3. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Employee Earnings, Australia](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/employee-earnings/latest-release), August 2025. Median weekly earnings by employment type, gender, age, and qualification level. 4. [Parliamentary Budget Office](https://www.pbo.gov.au/): Revenue foregone due to Capital Gains Tax discount for individuals and trusts. 5. [e61 Institute. Effective Tax Rate micronote](https://e61.in/): Based on ATO administrative data. Effective tax rate dispersion. 6. [Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) / UNSW. Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview](https://www.acoss.org.au/poverty/). 7. [Fair Work Commission. Annual Wage Review 2025–26](https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/workplace-laws/annual-wage-review/annual-wage-review-2024-2025): National Minimum Wage. 8. [Services Australia. JobSeeker Payment rates](https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-jobseeker-payment-you-can-get): Effective 20 March 2026. 9. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Survey of Income and Housing (SIH)](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/finance/household-income-and-wealth-australia/latest-release): Income and wealth inequality. 10. [Australian Bureau of Statistics. Measuring What Matters, Income and wealth inequality, 2022–23](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicators/prosperous/income-and-wealth-inequality): Historical income Gini comparisons from ABS series. ## Data Snapshots ![upper income limit by decile](https://eznpqfufanyahmlyjhnj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-covers/snapshots/a356f5e5-b482-4d93-a5f3-fee3390b5c2b/upper-income-limit-by-decile-5uim.jpg) Upper Income Limit by Decile ![mean vs median income key australian dataset compared](https://eznpqfufanyahmlyjhnj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-covers/snapshots/a356f5e5-b482-4d93-a5f3-fee3390b5c2b/mean-vs-median-income-key-australian-dataset-compared-wh5g.jpg) Mean vs Median Income - Key Australian Dataset Compared ## Related research [ ![How much have insurance premiums increased in Australia?](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1637763723578-79a4ca9225f7?q=80&w=871&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D) Spending 20 July 2026 · 11 min read ### How much have insurance premiums increased in Australia? 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They are averages across all households, not average premiums paid by insured policyholders. ](/average-insurance-cost) [ ![HECS debt by degree, field of study and gender in Australia](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1434030216411-0b793f4b4173?q=80&w=870&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D) Spending 08 July 2026 · 16 min read ### HECS debt by degree, field of study and gender in Australia The annual HECS-HELP cost of a Commonwealth supported degree in 2026 ranges from $4,738 to $17,399 depending on discipline, a gap of $12,661. Move into full-fee postgraduate study and the range widens: a domestic medical degree at Bond University can cost more than $470,000, well above the $186,544 loan limit for that field. Field of study affects the student contribution set for Commonwealth supported places, while provider-set full fees can create much larger debt exposure outside HECS-HELP. ](/hecs-debt-by-degree) [ ![How HECS has changed since 1989: debt, fees and policy over time](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541339907198-e08756dedf3f?auto=format&fit=crop&w=2000&q=80) Spending 08 July 2026 · 14 min read ### How HECS has changed since 1989: debt, fees and policy over time HECS began in 1989 as a flat $1,800 charge with a $22,000 repayment threshold. By 2024-25 it had become a field-based, marginally-repaid loan system carrying $82.2 billion in debt. Here is how it changed, in the data. ](/hecs-policy-history) [ ![How long does it takes to repay HECS debt  in 2026?](https://eznpqfufanyahmlyjhnj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/article-covers/03e517d2-481e-4723-8c56-1d8b1b238848/1783047602540.jpg) Spending 03 July 2026 · 12 min read ### How long does it takes to repay HECS debt  in 2026? The minimum income for compulsory HECS-HELP repayments is $69,528 in 2026–27. ATO-linked HELP statistics show the average borrower took 9.9 years to repay a HELP debt in full. ](/hecs-repayment-thresholds) [ See more ### Explore all research & analysis View all ](/analysis) [CheckRate ](/) [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms-and-conditions)[Methodology](/methodology) CheckRate provides general information and statistics only. It does not constitute financial advice. Data is sourced from publicly available institutional publications and may be subject to revision. Please consult a qualified financial adviser before making any financial decisions. © 2026 CheckRate