The main source of income for Tasmanians is wages and salaries. In 1999-2000, 44.6% of all income units were sourced from wages and salaries. A further 39.8% of Tasmanian income units were sourced from Government pensions and allowances. This reflects the combination of high unemployment and an ageing population in the State, and consequent dependence on income support payments.
ALL INCOME UNITS(a), Selected Characteristics - 1999-2000
|
| | Units | Tasmania | Australia |
|
Gross weekly income | | | |
| Mean gross weekly income | $ | 606 | 726 |
| Mean gross weekly income of all employees | $ | 864 | 966 |
| Mean gross weekly income of all full-time employees | $ | 938 | 1,045 |
|
| | | |
Main source of income (% of all income units) | | | |
| Wages and salaries | % | 44.6 | 56.7 |
| Own unincorporated business | % | *8.5 | 6.0 |
| Government pensions and allowances | % | 39.8 | 28.0 |
| Other income | % | *6.0 | 7.2 |
| Total(b) | % | 100.0 | 100.0 |
|
| | | |
Mean gross weekly income by main source | | | |
| Wages and salaries | $ | 888 | 961 |
| Own unincorporated business | $ | *914 | 1,085 |
| Government pensions and allowances | $ | 261 | 267 |
| Other sources | $ | *463 | 603 |
| Total(b) | $ | 606 | 726 |
* estimate has a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution
(a) An income unit is 1 person or a group of related persons within a household, whose command over income is assumed to be shared. Income sharing is assumed to take place within married (registered or de facto) couples, and between parents and dependent children.
(b) Includes income units with nil or negative total income.
Source: Income Distribution, Australia (Cat. no. 6523.0) and ABS data available on request, 1999-2000 Survey of Income and Housing Costs. |