MAIN FEATURES

Introduction
Income change in Australia, 2003-04 to 2008-09
Regional Variations in Average Income, 2008-09
Top Average Total Income Regions by State and Territory, 2008-09


INTRODUCTION

This article presents selected data on estimates of personal income for the years 2003-04 to 2008-09, at a range of geographic levels. These estimates have been compiled using aggregated individual income tax data from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and are based on the information provided to the ATO by all Australians who lodged a tax return for each financial year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support of the ATO in compiling these statistics. There are a number of breaks in series, which are discussed further in the section 'Series Breaks'. Changes in taxation policy can occur in any income year and can, for example, influence whether an individual needs to lodge a tax return, and what is required to be reported on the tax form. Breaks in the ABS series associated with changes of this type can impact on some year-to-year comparisons, however there are still a range of regional analyses able to be undertaken, including: analysing the regional differences in the level and composition of income in any given year; analysing the growth rate of income between years but not including any year affected by series breaks. In fact, analysing change in sources of personal income over time can provide valuable insight into the nature of regional economies and aspects of the economic well-being of the people who live there. This article begins with an overview of the sources of personal income for Australia, highlighting variations in average annual growth rates from 2003-04 to 2008-09 by source of income. It then analyses regional variations in average income from all sources at the state/territory and statistical division level for 2008-09. While personal income data provide insights into the income in regional economies, wealth is also important to economic well-being, since some people on low incomes may have wealth to draw on, such as property and business assets (Australian Social Trends, 2006, cat. no. 4102.0). Conversely, some people on high incomes may also have high levels of debt. This article has a focus on income, but income alone does not necessarily equate with overall economic well-being. Further analysis of regional incomes, including other sources of income (Wages and salary, Investments and Superannuation and annuities) can be undertaken using the data contained in the spreadsheets attached to this article. For more detailed data on persons earning Wage and salary incomes please refer to Wage and Salary Earner Statistics for Small Areas (cat. no. 5673.0.55.003). Series Breaks There are a number of breaks in series which means that some of the data is not able to be compared over time for some selected years. These breaks are outlined below. Superannuation One break in series was associated with a change to taxation legislation regarding superannuation which took effect from 1 July 2007. As of this date, people aged 60 years and over who received superannuation income in the form of a lump sum or income stream (such as a pension) from a taxed source, received that income tax free. This means that, if a person has no other income, or their total income is below the tax-free threshold, or any tax payable is mitigated by a tax offset (such as Senior Australian Tax Offset), they are not required to lodge a tax return. In the ABS series, income from Superannuation and annuities fell from $16.6 billion in 2006-07 to $8.9 billion in 2007-08 and $8.8 billion in 2008-09. This means there is a break in the superannuation series from 2007-08 onwards. Data for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are both on the same basis, but can not be compared with data in the years before these changes (i.e. for 2003-04 to 2006-07). Tax Bonus Other breaks in series were associated with the introduction of a one-off tax bonus in 2007-08 as part of the Economic Stimulus Package in response to the Global Financial Crisis. This one-off tax bonus was available to all individuals whose 2007-08 taxable income was $100,000 or less, whose adjusted tax liability was greater than zero and who had filed their 2007-08 tax return by 30 June 2009. The Australian Taxation Office has reported in their Taxation Statistics publications that there was a 7.1% increase in individual tax lodgements for the 2007-08 financial year, in part due to individual lodgements being brought forward to access the tax bonus. This was followed by a fall of 2.8% in individual tax lodgements in 2008-09. In the ABS series, total income rose by $52.1 billion from 2006-07 to 2007-08, but rose by only $12.3 billion from 2007-08 to 2008-09. The number of individuals in the ABS series fell from 12.4 million in 2007-08 to 12.0 million in 2008-09. This means there is a break in series between 2006-07 and 2007-08 and another break between 2007-08 and 2008-09. Impacts of Series Breaks on Data Analysis Analysis of the change in the number of individuals and in total income can be made between any year in the series except for 2007-08. For example, the analysis in this article focuses on the changes from 2003-04 to 2008-09 in total income in Australia. However, average income in 2007-08 can be used for analysis, although some care should be exercised when doing so. If the changes in income and the number of individuals associated with a particular event are in similar proportions, then the average is not materially affected. Using data for Wage and salary earners for Australia, for example, we can see that from 2003-04 to 2007-08 income from Wages and salaries grew by a larger proportion each year than the number of Wage and salary earners, leading to a rise in average income from Wages and salaries in this period. In 2008-09, Wage and salary income rose by a small proportion, the number of Wage and salary earners fell, therefore resulting in a further increase in average Wage and salary income. Users should exercise some caution in analysing average incomes for regions in 2007-08, however, as changes associated with the tax bonus may not be equally distributed across areas (for example, different effects may be seen in regions with large numbers of low income earners). The impacts of the breaks in series are illustrated in the following graphs. Graph 1 shows the number of persons by each source of income (please note that individuals may receive income from more than one source). (a) Breaks in series between 2006-07 and 2007-08 and between 2007-08 and 2008-09 (b) Data prior to 2007-08 are not available Graph 2 shows Total income by source of income. (a) Breaks in series between 2006-07 and 2007-08 and between 2007-08 and 2008-09 Back to top INCOME CHANGE IN AUSTRALIA, 2003-04 TO 2008-09 Total Income Total income (excluding Government pensions and allowances) grew by an average of 7.4% per annum from 2003-04 to 2008-09, and while most sources of income grew in absolute terms over this period, the average annual growth rates for each income source varied considerably (Table 1). For example, investment income had the largest average annual growth rate (12.2%), while Own unincorporated business income had the lowest (3.6%). Table 1. TOTAL INCOME, By Source - Australia 2003-04 2008-09 Average Annual Growth Rate, 2003-04 to 2008-09 Sources $m $m % Wages & salaries 316 925 453 779 7.4 Own unincorporated business 29 766 35 470 3.6 Investment 34 690 61 575 12.2 Superannuation & annuities (a) 11 002 8 817 n.a. Other (b) 3 106 5 013 10.0 Total income (b) 395 489 564 654 7.4 (a) Average Annual Growth Rate can not be calculated due to break in series (b) excludes Government pensions and allowances n.a. Not Available Table 2 shows that the three largest sources of income in each year have been Wages and salaries, Investment and income from Own unincorporated business (OUB), with Wages and salaries contributing around 80% of total income. Table 2. PROPORTION OF TOTAL INCOME, By Source - Australia Wages & salaries Own unincorporated business Investment Superannuation & annuities (a) Other Financial Year % % % % % 2003-04 80.1 7.5 8.8 2.8 0.8 2004-05 79.8 7.1 9.2 2.9 0.9 2005-06 79.5 6.8 9.6 3.2 0.9 2006-07 78.4 6.6 10.7 3.3 1.0 2007-08 (a) 80.1 6.7 10.6 1.8 1.0 2008-09 80.3 6.3 10.9 1.6 0.9 (a) Break in series in Superannuation income in 2007-08 Average Income Average total income data are only available for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years. Over this period, average total income in Australia increased by 5.6%, from $44,402 in 2007-08 to $46,904 in 2008-09. Graph 3 presents the average income for each personal income source in Australia for the years 2003-04 to 2008-09. (a) Break in series in Superannuation in 2007-08 This graph shows that: Average Wage and salary income increased from $36,889 in 2003-04 to $46,599 in 2008-09, recording a 6.1% increase between 2007-08 and 2008-09; Average Own unincorporated business (OUB) income increased from $16,538 in 2003-04 to $19,286 in 2008-09, however growth slowed from 2007-08 to 2008-09 (1.7%); Average Investment income rose from 2003-04 to 2006-07, then fell from $8,139 in 2006-07 to $7,781 in 2007-08, before increasing by 4%, to $8,092 in 2008-09; Average Superannuation income rose by 0.1% between 2007-08 and 2008-09. Back to top REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN AVERAGE INCOME, 2008-09 Table 3 presents average income data for 2008-09 for all sources of income, by state and territory. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest average total income of all states and territories ($55,714), followed by Western Australia ($51,614) and the Northern Territory ($48,885). In general, capital city statistical divisions recorded substantially higher average total incomes than regions outside of capital cities. Average Wage and salary incomes were highest in the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales and, and like average total income there were marked variations between capital cities and regions outside capital cities. Average income from Own unincorporated business was highest in Western Australia ($25,857), Australian Capital Territory ($23,760) and the Northern Territory ($20,048), with capital city statistical divisions recording considerably higher average incomes from this source. Victoria recorded the highest average Investment income in 2008-09, followed by Western Australia and New South Wales. In all cases except Queensland, average income from Investments was higher in capital city regions compared with regions outside of capital cities.

Region	Wages & salaries	Own unincorporated business	Investment	Superannuation & annuities	Other Income (excl. Government pensions & allowances)	Total income from all sources (excl. Government pensions & allowances)
	$	$	$	$	$	$
New South Wales	48 793	19 345	8 227	23 139	5 246	48 755
Sydney SD	52 325	24 161	9 217	23 267	6 384	53 429
Balance NSW	41 600	12 984	6 353	22 981	2 851	39 911
Victoria	45 246	18 143	8 979	21 448	3 690	46 013
Melbourne SD	47 351	21 494	9 509	22 060	4 259	48 810
Balance of Vic	38 830	11 971	7 422	19 973	2 010	37 986
Queensland	44 501	16 904	7 155	21 411	3 298	44 239
Brisbane SD	46 814	22 065	7 016	21 875	3 384	47 326
Balance of QLD	42 311	13 854	7 281	21 004	3 222	41 477
South Australia	41 896	19 659	7 651	24 793	3 025	42 675
Adelaide SD	43 056	22 695	7 950	25 444	3 227	44 296
Balance of SA	38 418	15 031	6 815	22 432	2 423	38 119
Western Australia	50 438	25 857	8 876	23 497	5 100	51 614
Perth SD	51 125	27 404	9 291	23 971	5 703	52 784
Balance of WA	48 238	22 650	7 560	21 756	3 016	48 029
Tasmania	39 398	16 905	6 864	21 397	2 911	39 935
Greater Hobart SD	41 435	20 642	7 310	22 775	3 093	42 667
Balance of Tas	37 808	14 650	6 504	19 724	2 742	37 828
Northern Territory	48 049	20 048	3 595	26 864	2 539	48 885
Darwin SD	50 189	23 106	3 839	27 612	2 805	51 206
Balance of NT	43 986	11 988	2 983	24 301	1 822	44 268
Australian Capital Territory	54 747	23 760	5 163	32 251	2 850	55 714
Canberra SD	54 756	23 771	5 165	32 255	2 849	55 725
Australia	46 599	19 286	8 092	23 214	4 153	46 904
(a) excludes Government pensions and allowances

Map 1 illustrates average total income data for 2008-09 by Statistical Local Area (SLA). Over two-thirds of SLAs in Australia recorded average total incomes lower than the national average ($46,904). The highest average total incomes were recorded in the SLAs surrounding Sydney Harbour (Mosman, Woollahra, Hunters Hill), in Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove, Cottesloe and Nedlands in Perth, Ascot and Hamilton in Brisbane, and Stonnington - Prahran and Bayside - Brighton in Melbourne. Outside the capital city statistical divisions, the SLAs with the highest average total incomes were located in the mining regions of Western Australia (Roebourne, Ashburton, East Pilbara, Port Hedland), Queensland (Isaac - Belyando and Broadsound) and South Australia (Roxby Downs).





TOP AVERAGE TOTAL INCOME REGIONS BY STATE AND TERRITORY, 2008-09

This section presents data on the five Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) in each capital city statistical division and balance of state with the highest average total incomes in 2008-09. The following tables also include data for 2007-08 (the first year for which data on average total income were available) and the percentage change in average income between 2007-08 and 2008-09.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The SLA of Mosman, on Sydney's North Shore, recorded the highest average total income in Australia in 2008-09 ($130,637), as shown in Table 4. The SLA of Woollahra, in Sydney's east, recorded the State's second highest average total income in 2008-09 ($116,922).

Hunters Hill ($105,730), North Sydney ($87,405) and Ku-ring-gai ($85,727) round out the top five highest income SLAs in New South Wales. Hunters Hill recorded a 11% increase in average total income in 2008-09, largely the result of a 17% rise in average Own unincorporated business income and a 26% increase in average Investment income. In each case, the number of people reporting income from these sources fell slightly in 2008-09, however the absolute value of business and investment income reported rose substantially.

Average incomes in Sydney's Top 5 SLAs are substantially higher than for those for New South Wales across all income sources.

Outside of Sydney, highest average total incomes were recorded in the SLAs of Singleton in the Hunter Valley ($55,577), Queanbeyan ($54,431) and Palerang - Pt A in the state's south-east ($53,170). Average total income in Singleton increased by almost 12% in 2008-09 (average Wage and salary income increased by 11% in this period, while average Investment income rose by 27%).
 
In 2008-09, around 16% of regions (a total of 32 SLAs) in New South Wales recorded average total incomes above the state average ($48,755). Of these, all but 5 were located within the Sydney metropolitan area.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Sydney SD
	Mosman (A)	131 606	130 637	-0.7
	Woollahra (A)	116 376	116 922	0.5
	Hunters Hill (A)	95 027	105 730	11.3
	North Sydney (A)	83 997	87 405	4.1
	Ku-ring-gai (A)	82 195	85 727	4.3
Sydney SD		51 121	53 429	4.5
Balance of NSW	Singleton (A)	49,780	55 577	11.6
	Queanbeyan (C)	51 227	54 431	6.3
	Palerang (A) - Pt A	50 537	53 170	5.2
	Newcastle (C) - Inner City	47 375	50 933	7.5
	Muswellbrook (A)	46 432	50 880	9.6
Balance of NSW (b)		37 674	39 911	5.9
New South Wales		46 480	48 755	4.9
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'NSW Unknown'

VICTORIA

Areas in Melbourne's inner south-east recorded Victoria's highest average total incomes in 2008-09 (Table 5). The SLA of Stonnington (C) - Prahran recorded the state's highest average total income ($87,432), followed by Bayside (C) - Brighton ($85,519) and Stonnington - Malvern ($81,006). The SLAs of Boroondara - Kew ($79,218) and Port Phillip - West ($78,526) round out the top five.

Outside of Melbourne, highest average total incomes were recorded in the SLAs of Newtown in Geelong ($54,375), Macedon Ranges - Balance, north-west of Melbourne ($50,356), and Latrobe - Traralgon ($46,587).

In 2008-09, around 18% of regions (a total of 36 SLAs) in Victoria recorded average total incomes above the state average ($46,013). Of these, all but 3 were located within the Melbourne metropolitan area.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Melbourne SD
	Stonnington (C) - Prahran	82 910	87 432	5.5
	Bayside (C) - Brighton	80 948	85 519	5.6
	Stonnington (C) - Malvern	77 316	81 006	4.8
	Boroondara (C) - Kew	75 385	79 218	5.1
	Port Phillip (C) - West	73 187	78 526	7.3
Melbourne SD		46 187	48 810	5.7
Balance of Vic	Newtown	51 181	54 375	6.2
	Macedon Ranges (S) Bal	47 546	50 356	5.9
	Latrobe (C) - Traralgon	44 855	46 587	3.9
	Geelong	43 672	46 558	6.6
	Surf Coast (S) - East	42 287	45 757	8.2
Balance of Vic (b)		36 556	37 986	3.9
Victoria		43 704	46 013	5.3
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'Vic Unknown'

QUEENSLAND

Individuals in the inner-city areas of Ascot and Hamilton earned higher average incomes than Queenslanders in other regions (Table 6). The SLA of Hamilton recorded the highest average total income in Queensland in 2008-09 ($88,272), followed closely by Ascot ($88,259). Average Own incorporated business income increased by over 33% in 2008-09 in each of these SLAs.

Average total incomes in the SLAs of Bardon (a hilly suburb west of the city), Balmoral and Bulimba (riverside suburbs east of the city) increased by over 10% between 2007-08 and 2008-09. Average Investment income rose by over 45% in 2008-09 in both Balmoral and Bulimba.

Outside of Brisbane, highest average total incomes were recorded in the SLAs of Isaac - Belyando ($67,751), Broadsound ($66,505) and Nebo ($66,301), and in the Central Highlands region, Duaringa ($66,071) and Peak Downs ($58,984).

In 2008-09, around 41% of regions (a total of 196 SLAs) in Queensland recorded average total incomes above the state average ($44,239). Of these, around 69% were located within the Brisbane metropolitan area.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Brisbane SD
	Hamilton	84 759	88 272	4.1
	Ascot	84 766	88 259	4.1
	Bardon	64 189	71 001	10.6
	Balmoral	64 260	70 777	10.1
	Bulimba	64 276	70 770	10.1
Brisbane SD		44 768	47 326	5.7
Balance of Qld	Isaac (R) - Belyando	62 100	67 751	9.1
	Isaac (R) - Broadsound	60 474	66 505	10.0
	Isaac (R) - Nebo	58 934	66 301	12.5
	Central Highlands (R) - Duaringa	58 579	66 071	12.8
	Central Highlands (R) - Peak Downs	58 093	58 984	1.5
Balance of Qld (b)		39 348	41 477	5.4
Queensland		41 911	44 239	5.6
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'QLD Unknown'

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The northern mining centre of Roxby Downs recorded the highest average total income in South Australia ($73,015) in 2008-09, an increase of 10% from 2007-08 (Table 7). Average Wage and salary income rose by 12% in Roxby Downs during this period.

The inner-city SLA of Walkerville recorded the second highest average total income in 2008-09 ($70,552), followed by the SLAs of Burnside - South West ($65,581) and Unley - East ($64,337).

Apart from Roxby Downs, other SLAs outside of Adelaide recording higher average total incomes were Whyalla ($47,278), and the unincorporated areas of Flinders Ranges ($46,287) and Far North ($46,271).

In 2008-09, around 23% of regions (a total of 29 SLAs) in South Australia recorded average total incomes above the state average ($42,675). Of these, around 69% were located within the Adelaide metropolitan area.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Adelaide SD
	Walkerville (M)	67 690	70 552	4.2
	Burnside (C) - South-West	61 109	65 581	7.3
	Unley (C) - East	60 212	64 337	6.9
	Mitcham (C) - North-East	59 120	62 825	6.3
	Burnside (C) - North-East	57 639	61 476	6.7
Adelaide SD		41 914	44 296	5.7
Balance of SA	Roxby Downs (M)	66 400	73 015	10.0
	Whyalla (C)	44 699	47 278	5.8
	Unincorp. Flinders Ranges	44 741	46 287	3.5
	Unincorp. Far North	43 232	46 271	7.0
	Barossa (DC) - Tanunda	41 748	45 199	8.3
Balance of SA (b)		36 451	38 119	4.6
South Australia		40 488	42 675	5.4
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'SA Unknown'

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A substantial increase in investment income from 2007-08 to 2008-09 has taken the SLA of Mosman Park from fourth to the top of Western Australia's highest earning income regions (Table 8). The average total income of Mosman Park increased by 46% in 2008-09 - to $116,197 - the third highest in Australia, behind Mosman and Woollahra in Sydney.

The neighbouring SLAs of Peppermint Grove and Cottesloe were Western Australia's next highest income regions; Peppermint Grove recorded an average total income of $104,148 in 2008-09, followed by Cottesloe ($102,847).

The central metropolitan areas of Nedlands ($91,033) and Claremont ($84,512) recorded increases of 10% and 12% respectively in average total income in 2008-09. The SLA of Nedlands recorded a 11% increase in both average Wage and salary income and average Own unincorporated business income in 2008-09. Claremont recorded a 12% increase in average Wage and salary income and a 24% increase in average Own unincorporated business income in this period.

In 2008-09, around 23% of regions (a total of 36 SLAs) in Western Australia recorded average total incomes above the state average ($51,614). Of these, around half were located outside the Perth metropolitan area, mostly in key mining regions. These include the north-western SLAs of Roebourne ($78,084 - up 11% from 2007-08), Ashburton ($72,889 - up 9%), East Pilbara ($72,255 - up 11%) and Port Hedland ($70,317 - up 10%). The SLA of Mullewa (with 370 income earners) recorded a substantial increase in average total income in 2008-09, largely the result of a large increase in Own unincorporated business income from 2007-08 to 2008-09.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Perth SD
	Mosman Park (T)	79 505	116 197	46.2
	Peppermint Grove (S)	100 075	104 148	4.1
	Cottesloe (T)	98 219	102 847	4.7
	Nedlands (C)	82 840	91 033	9.9
	Claremont (T)	75 781	84 512	11.5
Perth SD		48 588	52 784	8.6
Balance of WA (b)	Roebourne (S)	70 261	78 084	11.1
	Ashburton (S)	66 894	72 889	9.0
	East Pilbara (S)	65 354	72 255	10.6
	Port Hedland (T)	63 816	70 317	10.2
	Mullewa (S)	29 750	68 889	131.6
Balance of WA (b)		44 113	48 029	8.9
Western Australia		47 488	51 614	8.7
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'WA Unknown'

TASMANIA

The SLA of Hobart - Remainder had the highest average income in Tasmania ($51,273 in 2008-09, up 8% from the previous year). Table 9 shows that the SLA of Hobart - Inner recorded the next highest average total income ($48,960).

Of the areas outside the Greater Hobart Statistical Division, the SLAs of West Coast ($47,031) and Launceston - Inner ($42,736) recorded the highest average incomes in 2008-09.

In all, eleven SLAs in Tasmania recorded average total incomes above the state average ($39,935) in 2008-09. Of these, seven were located outside the Greater Hobart Statistical Division.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Greater Hobart SD
	Hobart (C) - Remainder	47 389	51 273	8.2
	Hobart (C) - Inner	46 051	48 960	6.3
	Kingborough (M) - Pt A	39 786	42 000	5.6
	Clarence (C)	39 070	41 510	6.2
	Brighton (M)	36 168	38 090	5.3
Greater Hobart SD		40 022	42 667	6.6
Balance of Tas (b)	West Coast (M)	43 377	47 031	8.4
	Launceston (C) - Inner	40 026	42 736	6.8
	Meander Valley (M) - Pt A	39 329	41 897	6.5
	Burnie (C) - Pt A	38 369	40 543	5.7
	West Tamar (M) - Pt A	38 317	40 140	4.8
Balance of Tas (b)		35 928	37 828	5.3
Tasmania		37 718	39 935	5.9
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'Tasmania Unknown'

NORTHERN TERRITORY

People living in the remote mining areas of Alyangula and Nhulunbuy earned the highest incomes in the Northern Territory in 2008-09 (Table 10). Average total income increased by almost 13% in Alyangula (to $69,213 in 2008-09), and although there was a slight fall in average total income in Nhulunbuy (down 1% from 2007-08), it remains the SLA with the second highest average total income in the Northern Territory.

The central city areas of Parap, Ludmilla, Fannie Bay, Narrows and The Gardens recorded similar average total incomes in 2008-09.

In 2008-09, around 65% of regions (a total of 42 SLAs) in the Northern Territory recorded average total incomes above the territory average ($48,885). Of these, all but 3 were located in the Darwin metropolitan area.

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Darwin SD
	Parap	54 566	57 498	5.4
	Ludmilla	54 683	57 439	5.0
	Fannie Bay	54 696	57 435	5.0
	Narrows	54 764	57 433	4.9
	The Gardens	54 809	57 429	4.8
Darwin SD		48 088	51 206	6.5
Balance of NT	Alyangula	61 327	69 213	12.9
	Nhulunbuy	59 017	58 228	-1.3
	West Arnhem (S) - Jabiru	53 293	53 441	0.3
	Alice Springs (T) - Stuart	43 620	46 925	7.6
	Alice Springs (T) - Charles	43 602	46 911	7.6
Balance of NT (b)		41 393	44 268	6.9
Northern Territory		45 848	48 885	6.6
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners
(b) Excludes SLA 'NT Unknown'

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

People living in the inner southern areas of Forrest and Red Hill recorded the highest average incomes in the Australian Capital Territory in 2008-09 ($85,141 and $85,100 respectively). Griffith ($83,059), Duntroon ($73,936) and Deakin ($73,911) round out the top five (Table 11). Average Own unincorporated business income rose by 11% in Deakin in 2008-09, while average Investment income increased by almost 20% in Forrest, Red Hill and Griffith during the same period.

The Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest average income of all states and territories in 2008-09 ($55,714).

		2007-08	2008-09	Percent change
Top 5 SLAs (a)		$	$	%
Canberra SD
	Forrest	78 373	85 141	8.6
	Red Hill	78 359	85 100	8.6
	Griffith	76 569	83 059	8.5
	Duntroon	69 077	73 936	7.0
	Deakin	69 060	73 911	7.0
ACT		52 330	55 714	6.5
(a) Excludes SLAs with less than 100 income earners