Australia’s household income (measured as gross disposable income) rose 5.4% in 2019-20, with growth recorded in all states and territories due to continued growth in compensation of employees and social assistance benefits.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated reduction in economic activity resulted in an increase in the number of unemployment benefit recipients across all states and territories.
The proportion of unemployment benefit recipients relative to residential population almost doubled for every state and territory. The NT recorded the largest proportion of unemployment benefit recipients relative to population of all states and territories, reaching 9.5%.
NSW and Victoria recorded the largest rises in number of recipients relative to population, with relative proportions more than doubling in both states.
Sources: DSS Demographic Data June 2020, ABS Estimated Resident Population