While "poorest" can be subjective, Mungallala, Queensland, was identified by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and media reports around 2016 as having the lowest mean taxable income, making it effectively Australia's poorest postcode, though residents emphasize strong community spirit over low income. Other disadvantaged areas include Indigenous communities like Woorabinda and Cherbourg, while newer data shows Callaghan/Newcastle University in NSW as a low-earning suburb.
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).
1. Sydney, Australia. Sydney, often known as Australia's financial hub, consistently tops the list of the wealthiest cities in the region.
But despite the economic uptick of recent years, Tasmania is still the poorest Australian state.
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.
In the United States (in 2017), the place with the lowest median household income was Little River, California (population 117), while the place with the lowest median household income with a population of more than 1,000 was Comerío Zona Urbana in Comerío, Puerto Rico (population 4,312).
Firstly, the unhappiest city in Australia is Darwin. About 23. 4% of the population here is experiencing anxiety.
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.
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.
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.
30-fastest growing cities
Adelaide is often regarded as the cheapest place to live in Australia, with lower living costs compared to major cities. Regional areas are becoming more popular due to remote work opportunities, making them affordable choices.
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.
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.
According to income data from the ATO, the poorest suburbs in Australia are: Callaghan, Newcastle University (NSW - 2308): $20,878. University of NSW (NSW - 2052): $20,892. Copeville, Galga, Mantung, Mercunda, Perponda (SA - 5308): $21,049.
The top 10 issues Australians say are the most concerning
The poverty line in Australia is generally defined as 50 per cent of median household income. If someone was earning less than the below amounts (including a government income) in 2022, they were classed as below the poverty line: $454 a week for a single person. $725 for a sole parent with two children.
While several towns vie for the title, Picton (NSW) and Kapunda (SA) are frequently cited as Australia's spookiest, with Picton known for its haunted Mushroom Tunnel and Kapunda for its notorious North Kapunda Hotel and mining history, both featuring numerous ghost stories and paranormal claims. Other contenders include Beechworth (VIC) for its asylum and gaol, and eerie spots like Tasmania's Queenstown, noted for its unsettling atmosphere.
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.
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.
For instance, Mississippi has the lowest median household income—just over $59,000 in 2024—and around 18% of its population lives in poverty, nearly double the national rate.
Theorists suggest the poorest city in the world is in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. The population of Liberia is currently 4,294,000 and is one of the least populated countries in Africa. It is considered the fifth poorest country, despite being the oldest independent country.