The poorest areas in Australia aren't confined to one spot, but recent data points to deep disadvantage in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and parts of regional NSW and Queensland, with specific low-income areas found around Newcastle (NSW) and smaller towns like Mungallala (QLD), showing significant economic hardship in regional/remote pockets despite overall national wealth.
What are the poorest suburbs in Australia? According to the ATO's latest figures, the lowest-earning suburbs in Australia are Callaghan and Newcastle University, which are located in the city of Newcastle in New South Wales. See the full list of postcodes below. Source: Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
The worst performing states are Tasmania, with incomes 26% below the national income and wealth average, as well as South Australia which is 19% below the average household income and 20% below the national net wealth.
Tennant Creek is consistently ranked as one of the most disadvantaged and dangerous towns in Australia. In 2017, the estimated homicide rate in Tennant Creek per 100,000 people was 59.6, which was over 11 times as high as the same statistic for the United States as a whole.
Poverty rates were highest in non-urban areas in the smallest States and Territories, including 52,000 people outside the capital in Tasmania, 57,000 people outside the capital in South Australia, and 28,000 people in the Northern Territory.
While specific data varies by report, Sydney generally has the highest total number of people experiencing homelessness, particularly in its inner-city and surrounding suburbs like Canterbury, Strathfield, and Fairfield, though Brisbane and the Northern Territory (like East Arnhem) also show very high rates relative to their populations. Homelessness is concentrated in major cities but also prevalent in outer suburbs, driven by housing affordability issues.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, often known as Australia's financial hub, consistently tops the list of the wealthiest cities in the region. Its skyline tells the story of affluence with luxurious skyscrapers and a vibrant real estate market.
Firstly, the unhappiest city in Australia is Darwin. About 23. 4% of the population here is experiencing anxiety.
Canberra is officially Australia's #1 safest city, with a crime index rating of 26 out of 100. That places it as the 49th safest city in the world. This ranking comes from Compare the Market Australia, which analysed 6 years of public data from Numbeo's crime index.
That is, Victoria is the most lawless state in Australia. Victoria has recorded increases of up to 58 per cent in the number of victims in eight out of 16 crime categories, including kidnapping/abduction, motor vehicle theft, armed robbery, and other offences including retail crime.
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.
South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world in 2025-2026, consistently ranking first due to extremely low GDP per capita and a high percentage (over 80%) of its population living in extreme poverty, driven by prolonged civil conflict, displacement, and disruption of its agricultural economy. Other nations frequently cited as among the poorest include Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, also suffering from conflict and instability.
Definition and Purpose of Blacklisting
Lender blacklists are secret lists of suburbs that banks see as risky. When a suburb is on this list, it's harder to get a loan there. Banks use these lists to lower their risk of losing money on loans. Blacklists help banks decide where to lend.
Perth has surpassed Sydney as the least affordable capital city in Australia, relative to household incomes. Albo''s legacy -poverty & antisemetic violence.
The top 10 issues Australians say are the most concerning
Rockhampton. Rockhampton is the most dangerous city in Australia. According to the reports, it has a crime index of 67.2, which is one of the major contributors to the country's higher rate. It has a crime rate of 132 per 1000 people, with most of the cases for theft, burglary, and assault.
Australia's nicest places offer stunning beaches (Whitsundays, Rottnest Island, Gold Coast), iconic landmarks (Sydney Opera House, Uluru), unique wildlife (Kangaroo Island, Tasmania), vibrant cities (Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide), and natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Blue Mountains, catering to diverse interests from relaxation to adventure.
Storms and floods are frequent in Australia even in urban areas. Pay attention to the Australian Bureau of Metrology warnings. A red warning mean that you need to be prepared for evacuation. Avoid driving in flood warning areas.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me." It is considered bad manners to pick one's teeth with the fingers or a toothpick in public.
The survey declared that Bendigo is Australia's swearing capital with an average of 21 swears per day, tut tut, followed by Toowoomba (18) and the Gold Coast (17). As usual, we were beaten by bloody Newcastle with 16 daily naughty words, along with Brisbane and Rockhampton.
Brisbane has just been named as one of the friendliest cities in the world and we're the only Australian city to be listed in the top twenty. We've always known this about Brisbane but now the world is starting to discover it too. 0de + but now the world is starting to discover it too.
More billionaires from the list live in the elite Melbourne suburb of Toorak, five kilometres southeast of the CBD, than any other Australian suburbs. Toorak boasts gated cul-de-sacs, privacy hedges, tree-lined streets and 22 of Australia's richest people.
These are Australia's 10 most liveable suburbs for 2025