WA tops income

WA HAD the country’s highest average weekly disposable income with 4 per cent above average, according to 1997-98 data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

NSW was 2 per cent above average while Queensland and Victoria shared the national average according to the Australian Social Trends 2000 report.

Tasmania and South Australia dragged behind at 13 per cent and 14 per cent below the national average respectively.

WA’s high average disposable income was due to high regional wages, particularly in the mining sector.

WA was the only State to record higher disposable wages in regional areas compared to the capital city.