Economy, jobs and prices in Canberra, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) who had income was $75,643 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), the highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the whole Australian Capital Territory (Canberra has no city council, so the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area is the territory).
What is the median wage in Canberra?
The median employee income in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) was $79,659 for the year 2022-23, the highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Canberra?
The median equivalised household income in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) was $1,553 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 2nd highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Canberra?
The unemployment rate in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) was 3.8% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Canberra?
69.6% of residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 5th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Canberra?
Of the 248,388 employed residents of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were public administration and safety (29.8%; 6.6% nationally), health care and social assistance (11.5%) and professional, scientific and technical services (10.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Canberra?
36,934 businesses were registered in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) at 30 June 2025, which is 76 for every 1,000 residents (6th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 58% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Canberra in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024-25 covered 2,831 new dwellings (5.8 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $2,277 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Canberra?
The median price of an established house sold in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2023-24 was $990,000, 10th highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $615,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Canberra?
19.4% of occupied homes in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 30.7% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Canberra do not own a car?
5.6% of households in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 8th lowest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Canberra in 2024?
4,739 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) in 2024, 9.9 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Canberra ranks 31 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
| 26 | Geelong | 4.4% |
| 27 | Bendigo | 4.2% |
| 28 | Darwin | 4.1% |
| 29 | Greater Darwin | 4.0% |
| 30 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 3.8% |
| 31 | Canberra | 3.8% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Canberra ranks 1 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | $75,643 |
| 2 | Greater Darwin | $70,961 |
| 3 | Darwin | $69,529 |
| 4 | Sydney | $65,191 |
| 5 | Brisbane | $63,317 |
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Canberra ranks 21 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Ballarat | 83 |
| 19 | Geelong | 80 |
| 20 | Greater Darwin | 79 |
| 21 | Canberra | 76 |
| 22 | Greater Hobart | 76 |
| 23 | Central Coast | 76 |
| 24 | Wollongong | 73 |
More on Canberra: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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