Income

(Q37 in the Census Household Form)

This information gives us an idea about living standards in different areas of Australia. In addition, income information can be used as an indicator of economic well-being. This shows government and community groups where social services are most needed. 

After data collection and processing, we will remove names and addresses from other personal and household information, including income. Identifiable information is not shared with any other government departments. 

This question is only asked of people aged 15 years and over. 

This question asks about the total income a person receives. This may not be the amount that ends up in their bank account, but the entire amount someone receives before anything is taken out for:

• tax
• superannuation contributions
• amounts salary sacrificed
• other automatic payments.

Wages and salaries

Include:

• Regular overtime
• Commissions and bonuses.

Government pensions, benefits and allowances

Remember to include the total value of any pensions, benefits and other government allowances that the person is receiving.

Include:

• Age Pension
• Family Tax Benefit
• Parenting Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• JobSeeker Payment
• Youth and student allowances
• Carer Allowance
• Any other government pension, benefit or allowance.

Profit or loss from

• Unincorporated business/farm (for example, sole traders, partnerships)
• Rental properties.

Other income from

• Superannuation
• Child support
• Dividends from shares
• Interest
• Workers' compensation
• Any other income sources
• For interest and dividends, work out the amount the person expects to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources. Divide this by 26 to work out a fortnightly amount or divide this by 52 to work out a weekly amount.
• For other regular income, such as superannuation or child support, include the amount the person receives for one week or fortnight. Or work out the amount they expect to receive in a full year and add this to their total yearly income from other sources.
• Include private pensions and workers compensation under ‘Other income’.

Business owners and self-employed people

• Business owners and self-employed people should include the total profit or loss from the operations of their business, or their share of the business in a partnership.
• The profit or loss of a business is worked out as the gross amount it has received minus its operating expenses (such as rent, materials and fuel costs).
• If the person has other sources of income, such as wages or government allowances, these should be added to their business income to work out their total income from all sources.

Negative income

• Negative income happens when the operating expenses are higher than the gross amount received (or revenue) of a self-employed person, business or a rental property.
• A person has negative income if these losses are greater than any income, benefits or allowances received from other sources.