Social Class in Australia: Beyond the Working and Middle Classes

Overview

• Authors: Dr Jill Sheppard & Dr Nicholas Biddle
• Conducted by: Social Research Centre, an ANU Enterprise business
• Sample size: 1,200 Australians, interviewed by telephone
• Response rate: 21%
• Margin of error: ±2.5%
• Date: Interviews conducted between 13 and 27 July 2015

Vice-Chancellor's Message

• Findings reveal greater social stratification than expected.
• Australians mostly identify as working or middle class, but data shows five distinct classes.
• Class mobility is more common in Australia compared to Britain.

Key Points

• Most Australians consider themselves part of a social class.
• Over half identify with the middle class; about 40% with the working class.
• Only 2% identify as upper class.

Detailed Class Analysis

Self-Described Class Membership

• Middle Class: 51.5%
• Working Class: 40.3%
• Upper Class: 2%
• Young and old Australians tend to view themselves as middle class.

Objective Class Membership

• Based on economic, social, and cultural capital:
  • Established Affluent
  • Emergent Affluent
  • Mobile Middle
  • Established Middle
  • Established Working

Characteristics of Each Class

• Established Working Class:
  • Lowest incomes, occupational prestige, and education.
  • Mean age: 66
• Established Middle Class:
  • Medium in income and capital.
  • Largest class at 26%.
• Mobile Middle Class:
  • Higher educational attainment, transitioning toward affluence.
  • Younger and highly social.
• Emergent Affluent Class:
  • High income, young, but with low savings.
  • Millennial stereotypes: social, culturally emerging.
• Established Affluent Class:
  • Intergenerational advantage, diverse social networks.
  • Notably lower capital compared to British equivalents.

Attitudes and Behaviors

• Political opinions vary by class.
• Affluent classes less supportive of government redistribution.

Trends and Concerns

• Economy is the most important issue for Australians, followed by government and immigration.
• Satisfaction with the country's direction has decreased since March 2015.

ANUpoll Questions

• Surveyed topics include economic conditions, social issues, household income, and personal demographics.

Conclusion

• Findings aim to inform public debate and contribute to scholarly research.
• Results highlight societal trends and class mobility dynamics in Australia.