CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW, MIDDLE AND HIGH INCOME HOUSEHOLDS


In 2013–14, 65% of low income households had wealth levels in the lowest four wealth deciles (or net worth less than $329,000), while nearly 23% had medium levels of household wealth (deciles five to seven). Nearly 12% had net worth exceeding $800,000 (that is, were in the top three wealth deciles) and are unlikely to be at risk of experiencing economic hardship, as shown in Graph 1.



Low income households are most likely to rely on government pensions and allowances as their main source of income, whereas employee income is the main income source for middle and high income households, as shown in Graph 2.



Some household types are more likely to be low income households than others, as shown in Graph 3. After taking account of the number and age of people in the household, lone person households are more likely to be in the low income group, while couple only households are more likely to be in the high income group.