Useful comparison is vs your segment: Australians of your age, income, capital city. Crossed with ABS Survey of Income and Housing 2024.
The 4 percentile zones
Below average (0-25)
Worse than 75% of Aussies like you.
Average (25-60)
Where most are. Problem: average Super balance projects retirement income below current lifestyle.
Above average (60-85)
Better than 60-85% of segment.
Top decile (85-100)
Top 15%. Exceptional.
The 5 differentiating variables
1. Savings rate
| Percentile | Typical Australian rate |
|---|---|
| Top 10% | 25-40% |
| Top 25% | 15-25% |
| Average | 6-10% |
| Bottom 25% | 0-2% |
2. Debt structure (DSR)
| Percentile | Typical DSR |
|---|---|
| Top 10% | 0-15% |
| Top 25% | 15-25% |
| Average | 28-38% |
| Bottom 25% | 43%+ |
3. Investment vs cash savings
Top 10%: 60-80% in real investments. Average: 18-28%.
4. Super salary sacrifice
72% of top decile salary sacrifices. Only 22% of average Australians.
5. Written 5-year planning
71% of top decile has written goals. Only 11% of average.
Why average isn't a good target
- Average Super balance projects retirement income below current lifestyle
- Property concentration risk
- Average Australians 9-year longevity gap to fund post-retirement
Average = downgraded retirement.
How to move up a quartile in 12 months
Below to average (25→60)
Pay credit cards. Build AUD 1,000 buffer. Save 5%.
Average to above (60→85)
Save 15%. Salary sacrifice to Super. Move from cash savings to ETFs.
Above to top decile (85→95)
Max all tax-advantaged. International diversification. Consider SMSF if appropriate.
Top decile to top 1% (95→99)
Property portfolio, alternative investments, estate planning.
Based on ABS Survey of Income and Housing 2024 + APRA Super statistics.
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About the author
Enrique 'Kike' Faúndez is an Information Systems and Management Control Engineer from Universidad de Chile, with master’s degrees in Finance from Universidad de Chile and Industrial Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. He has 15+ years of experience in regulated financial services across finance, operations, and digital product development. He founded CashControlly in Santiago, Chile, with the conviction that personal financial control should not be a privilege, but an accessible and well-designed tool.
- Master's in Finance, Universidad de Chile
- Master's in Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Information Systems and Management Control Engineer, Universidad de Chile
- AI and ITIL certifications
- 15+ years in regulated financial services
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