MEDIA RELEASE
21 July, 2010	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	86/2010

High income households in Queensland were more likely to have flat screen televisions, dishwashers and clothes dryers than lower income households, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The report found that:

• Almost all Queensland households had at least one television. Just under three quarters of households with the highest income level of $110,000 or more per year (74%) had at least one flat screen television, compared with 34% of households with an annual household income of less than $25,000 per year.
• Half of all Queensland households (50%) had a dishwasher. Three quarters of households with the highest income level (75%) had a dishwasher, compared with less than a quarter (24%) of those with the lowest income level.
• 58% of all Queensland households had a clothes dryer. Three quarters of the highest income households (75%) had a clothes dryer, compared with 39% of those with an annual household income of less than $25,000 per year.

In addition, the report found that:

Insulation was installed in, or on order by, 57% (935,300) of Queensland households in October 2009. Achieving comfort was the main reason given by Queensland households in owner occupied dwellings (56%) for installing insulation or having it on order.

Most households with a washing machine (69% or 1,122,200) averaged five or less loads of washing per week. Over one quarter (27%) of Queensland households with a washing machine had a front-loading machine.

One third of Queensland households (33%) used only one air conditioner for cooling. A further 34% used two or more air conditioners for cooling.

Of all Queensland households with a hot water system, 8% were solar hot water systems.

In the month prior to the survey, an estimated 35% of Brisbane residents used public transport. Of those, almost half (45%) said the main reason for using public transport was that it's more convenient than their own transport. Of people not using public transport, 65% found using their own car to be more convenient, comfortable or private. The age group most likely to use public transport was 18 to 24 year olds.

Further information is available in Queensland Water and Energy Use and Conservation (cat. no. 4602.3).

Media note:

Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.