🇦🇺Income and wealth in Australia
A high-income country with strong median pay and high housing-linked wealth.
Higher confidenceIn Australia, a typical income is about A$60,000 ($39,000) a year. To reach the top 10%, income is around A$135,000+, and an estimated top 1% starts near A$500,000+ ($325,000+).
Income tiers in Australia
The middle of the range. Half earn less, half earn more.
Roughly 75% to 200% of the median, a common way to define the middle.
Above the middle band, up to the start of the top 10%.
Income at or above this level is in roughly the top tenth.
An approximate threshold for the top one percent.
The income ladder
How income climbs from typical to the top, in Australia. Shown on a compressed scale so every step stays visible.
Bars use a compressed (logarithmic) scale. USD values are approximate, converted at mid-2024 exchange rates.
How Australia compares
A typical income in Australia is many times the global median income, so even middle earners here rank highly worldwide.
See how far that income stretches across citiesWhere do you stand in Australia?
Enter your own income and net worth in Wealth Rank to see your exact percentile here and worldwide.
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Common questions about income in Australia
What is a typical income in Australia?
A typical (median) income in Australia is about A$60,000 per year, or roughly $39,000. Half of earners make less and half make more.
What income is considered middle class in Australia?
Middle-class incomes in Australia run roughly from A$45,000 to A$120,000 a year, about 75% to 200% of the median. In dollars that is around $29,300 to $78,000.
What income puts you in the top 10% in Australia?
An income of about A$135,000 or more a year, roughly $87,800, is near the top 10% in Australia.
What income puts you in the top 1% in Australia?
An estimated A$500,000 or more a year, roughly $325,000, places someone near the top 1% in Australia. Top-percentile figures are approximate.
How does income in Australia compare to the rest of the world?
A typical income in Australia is many times the global median income, so even middle earners here rank highly worldwide. Worldwide, an income near $200,000 is already in roughly the global top 1%.
Higher confidence. Based on strong national survey or tax data. Data reflects 2021–2022.
Educational tool: Global Wealth Explorer shows approximate income estimates based on public data from national statistics offices, the World Bank, and published research. Figures are for perspective and learning, not official determinations. Incomes are pre-tax and individual where possible. Amounts are converted to USD at approximate mid-2024 exchange rates for comparison, so dollar figures shift with currency moves.
Sources: ABS Income Survey · ABS Wealth Survey