4409.3 - Ageing Well, Queensland, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/07/2005   
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Contents >> Income & Housing

Two of the main aspects of life recognised by the OECD as contributing to wellbeing are the command over economic resources and housing. (footnote 1).

The standard of living of individuals and families is greatly determined by these areas of concern. Having a high income or having substantial reserves of wealth extends the range, quantity and quality of goods and services that can be consumed. People with limited resources can experience hardship in meeting the basic costs of living (including housing costs) and may become dependent on others to have such needs met.

INCOME
In Queensland at the time of the 2001 Census, most persons aged 65 years and over (60%) and the largest proportion of persons aged 50-64 years (30%) reported that their gross individual weekly income was between $120-$299. The second largest proportions for both age groups were those reporting $300-$499 a week with 17% of persons aged 50-64 years and 16% of persons aged 65 years and over reporting this income.

Both age groups reported their lowest proportions of persons within the income range $1,500 or more per week, with 4% of persons aged 50-64 years and 0.9% of persons aged 65 years and over reporting within this range.

2.1 GROSS INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY INCOME BY AGE, Usual residents - Queensland

15-34 years
35-49 years
50-64 years
65 years and over
Total 15 years and over
%
%
%
%
%

$119 or less
21.1
8.7
10.0
3.9
12.7
$120 - $299
21.0
17.8
29.9
59.9
27.8
$300 - $499
19.1
19.2
17.3
15.6
18.2
$500 - $699
15.3
17.6
14.3
4.6
14.2
$700 - $999
10.6
15.6
11.0
2.4
10.9
$1,000 - $1,499
4.1
10.3
7.2
1.1
6.0
$1,500 or more
1.4
4.7
4.0
0.9
2.8
Total(a) ('000)
1,000.9
778.7
569.9
413.2
2,762.6

(a) Includes income not stated therefore figures for categories shown in table will not add to 100%.
Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing.



The largest proportion of both males and females aged 50 years and over, reported a weekly income of between $120 and $299 a week.


Males consistently reported higher proportions in income ranges over $300 per week compared with females who reported higher proportions in the income ranges less than $300 per week. The weekly income range of $300-$499 recorded the smallest proportional difference between males and females with 17% of males and 16% of females. The largest proportional difference was reported by males (36%) and females (48%) in the $120-$299 weekly income range.

The higher proportion of females in the lower income ranges may have implications for the wellbeing of females particularly those living alone.

2.2 GROSS INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY INCOME, by persons aged 50 years and over, 2001 - Queensland
Graph, GROSS INDIVIDUAL WEEKLY INCOME by persons aged 50 years and over by sex, 2001, Queensland



HOUSING

One of the most important aspects of housing associated with individual wellbeing is whether or not occupants own their dwelling. Households who have purchased their own home are widely considered to enjoy benefits not so readily available to renters. These include greater security in being able to stay at that dwelling, the freedom to modify the dwelling to suit household tastes without reference to a landlord and as a key means for expressing their identity.

The 2001 Census of Population and Housing provides information on the housing tenure of usual residents who were at home on census night.

Although persons in the two oldest age groups (50-64 years and 65 years and over) were more likely to report a relatively low income ($120-$299 a week) they were far more likely to fully own their own homes and therefore have fewer housing costs.

Over half (56%) of persons aged 50-64 years fully owned their own homes and a further 22% were purchasing. The proportion of full home ownership for persons aged 65 years and over was 70% with 4% still in the process of purchasing their homes and 12% renting.

2.3 HOUSING TENURE BY AGE, Usual residents - Queensland

15-34 years
35-49 years
50-64 years
65 years and over
Total 15 years and over
%
%
%
%
%

Fully owned
18.6
26.9
55.9
69.8
36.2
Being purchased(a)
32.4
41.7
21.8
4.2
28.7
Rented
40.7
25.0
16.4
11.5
26.9
Other types of tenure(b)
2.4
2.1
1.8
3.1
2.3
Total at home on census night(c) ('000)
943.8
746.5
537.4
392.0
2,619.7
Total(d) ('000)
1,000.9
778.7
569.9
413.2
2,762.6

(a) Includes being purchased under a rent/buy scheme.
(b) Comprises being occupied rent-free, being occupied under a life tenure scheme and other tenure types.
(c) Includes tenure type not stated and persons in non-private dwellings and migratory and off-shore collection cistricts therefore figures for categories shown in table will not add to 100%.
(d) Includes usual residents of Queensland who were not at home on census night.

Source: 2001 Census of Population and Housing.




FOOTNOTES

1. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and development, 1976, Measuring Social Wellbeing: A progress report on the development of social indicators, Paris. < Back

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FURTHER INFORMATION

ABS Sources

5673.0 Regional Wage and Salary Earner Statistics, Australia
Includes data on the total number of wage and salary earners and their average wage and salary income for Local Government Areas, Statistical Local Areas, Statistical Subdivisions, Statistical Divisions, total Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan areas in each state and territory of Australia. Also includes variables such as sex, age, occupation, wage and salary income and total income. Queensland data can be accessed in Regional Wage and Salary Earner Statistics - Queensland .


6261.0.55.001 Characteristics of Wages and Salary Earners in Regions of Australia
Contains regional estimates for various characteristics of wage and salary earners, including age, sex, occupation
and income. The statistics have been compiled from the Australian Taxation Office’s Individual Income Tax Return Database. Information can be found in Characteristics of Wages and Salary Earners in Regions of Australia Main Features
and data cubes (spreadsheets) are also available.

Economic wellbeing of households Theme page

The data on this page were last updated on 21 July 2005.




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