Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Sydney, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of Greater Sydney who had income was $62,180 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 8th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: Greater Sydney, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the median wage in Greater Sydney?
The median employee income in Greater Sydney was $66,619 for the year 2022-23, 5th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Greater Sydney?
The median equivalised household income in Greater Sydney was $1,213 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 8th highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Greater Sydney?
The unemployment rate in Greater Sydney was 5.1% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 14th highest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Greater Sydney?
60.0% of residents of Greater Sydney aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Greater Sydney?
Of the 2,430,704 employed residents of Greater Sydney at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (13.4%; 14.5% nationally), professional, scientific and technical services (10.9%) and retail trade (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Greater Sydney?
646,689 businesses were registered in Greater Sydney at 30 June 2025, which is 115 for every 1,000 residents (7th highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 62% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Greater Sydney in 2024-25?
Building approvals in Greater Sydney in 2024-25 covered 33,574 new dwellings (6.0 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $36,815 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Greater Sydney?
The median price of an established house sold in Greater Sydney in 2023-24 was $1,440,000, 3rd highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $795,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Greater Sydney?
30.7% of occupied homes in Greater Sydney were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 35.9% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Sydney do not own a car?
11.3% of households in Greater Sydney had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 5th highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Greater Sydney in 2024?
52,190 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in Greater Sydney in 2024, 9.4 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Sydney compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Greater Sydney ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 5.3% |
| 12 | Greater Melbourne | 5.3% |
| 13 | Greater Perth | 5.3% |
| 14 | Greater Sydney | 5.1% |
| 15 | Townsville | 5.1% |
| 16 | Brisbane | 5.0% |
| 17 | Toowoomba | 5.0% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Greater Sydney ranks 8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Brisbane | $63,317 |
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
| 8 | Greater Sydney | $62,180 |
| 9 | Newcastle | $61,846 |
| 10 | Greater Brisbane | $59,968 |
| 11 | Greater Melbourne | $59,784 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Greater Sydney ranks 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Melbourne | 241 |
| 5 | Hobart | 124 |
| 6 | Gold Coast | 120 |
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 115 |
| 8 | Greater Melbourne | 110 |
| 9 | Brisbane | 106 |
| 10 | Sunshine Coast | 103 |
More on Greater Sydney: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.