Individual Income
Description
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released information about the gross (i.e. before tax) income of individuals as revealed through the last Census. This information is based on the count of persons (place of usual residence) and shows the number of the working population in different income brackets. The information is derived from a specific question on the Census form that asks about the gross income of those aged 15 and over in full-time or part-time paid work.
Quality and Applicability
Place of usual residence counts are used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in all its standard data sets e.g. Basic Community Profile, Expanded Community Profile, Indigenous Profile and QuickStats.
The individual income distribution of an area is linked to several factors. These include age structure (e.g. the numbers of persons of working age or retired), social roles (e.g. the numbers of women with primary care responsibilities that limit the amount of paid work they undertake), education attendance (e.g. the numbers of full-time students), economic base and employment opportunities, and education/skill base. Individual income is an important indicator of an area's socio-economic status, for it reflects the proportion of the population engaged in paid work as well as changes over time. Other indicators of socio-economic status include the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, labour force participation, occupations and industries, unemployment rate, and educational attainment.
Coverage
Information about individual income is available for local government areas, statistical local areas, suburbs, and collector districts. Figures are by sex and age (five/ten-year age groups).
Collector districts are the smallest spatial units under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification system used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Collector districts enable the collection and dissemination of Census data. Statistical local areas fit into the boundaries of incorporated bodies of local government (i.e. local government areas) when aggregated.
Reference Date
Information about individual income refers to 8 August 2006, the most recent Census.
Release Date
The Australian Bureau of Statistics progressively released all standard data sets based on the 2006 Census during 2007.
Access
Information about individual income is contained in the Basic Community Profile Cat. No. 2001.0 2006 Table B16. Select the 'Community Profiles' function to search for an area by name then open its Basic Community Profile.
Cost and Format
Australian Bureau of Statistics data sets are downloadable free of charge in excel spreadsheet format.
More Information
Stay informed about all Census products by regularly visiting the Australian Bureau of Statistics and checking product release news/dates. Or subscribe to the free email notification service by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and typing 'add to Census email' in the subject field. Or call the National Information and Referral Service 1300 135 070. This service can also provide assistance in navigating the Census website.
Additional Data Source(s)
The Spatial Analysis and Research Branch, Department of Planning and Community Development, is currently preparing statistical information derived from the most recent Census. Statistical information will be available in a number of products including Know Your Area and Suburbs in Time. For updates, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , telephone (03) 9637 9441, write to PO Box 500 East Melbourne Vic 3002, or visit Spatial Analysis Research Branch and view product and release dates.