The Distribution and Composition of Personal Sector Wealth in Australia

This article begins by noting the scarcity of information on the distribution of wealth in Australia, and the many reasons for wanting to have such information. The potential role of the tax system in affecting the composition of wealth is noted, and the taxation of savings is briefly described. A number of different methods of estimating the distribution of wealth are discussed. Estimates for the distribution and composition of wealth in Australia in 1986 are derived from the 1986 Income Distribution Survey, which suggest that the wealthiest ten per cent of income units hold 55 per cent of total wealth. The composition of wealth is broadly consistent with the expected impact of the tax system.