Economic Elites in Australia: Who Occupies the Top Income and Wealth Positions?

This project aims to identify who occupies the top positions in income and wealth distribution in Australia and explore the stratification processes by which they attain their top economic status. Using two datasets (the Survey of Income and Housing, and the Household Income and Labour Dynamic Survey), it will investigate 1) the social, demographic, and financial profiles of Australian economic elites, 2) the relative likelihood of personal achievement and family wealth contributing to membership of the top economic strata, and 3) identification and categorization of financial or investment strategies among those elites. By providing comprehensive knowledge of Australian economic elites and social mobility at top positions, this project will shed light on Australian economic inequality and stratification.