The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey enables analysis of a range of social and economic issues but perhaps its most distinctive feature is its longitudinal nature. Questions are asked of the same individuals and households every year which allows researchers to examine how aspects of their lives change and transition over time. This report provides statistical information on 16 waves of the study—from 2001 to 2016.

HILDA is a nationally representative longitudinal study of over 17,000 Australian individuals residing in approximately 9,500 households.

The longitudinal nature of HILDA data enables analysis of the dynamics of the health and education of individuals, their labour market experiences, and the income they receive. In particular it allows researchers and policy makers to observe whether some individuals experience persistent disadvantage such as relative income poverty and reliance on welfare payments.

Key findings

• Increasing use of paid child care
• Slowing in growth of household incomes
• Contrasting growth and decline in household incomes in regional areas of Australia
• Declining relative income poverty
• Welfare reliance
• Financial and household stress
• Time use by men and women