Tas struggling in rich poor divide: report

Tasmanians and residents of regional Australia are more likely to be in the bottom 20 per cent of income earners.

The Australian Council of Social Service is releasing a report into growing inequality on Monday.

The report finds income is unevenly distributed across states and territories.

Tasmanians are more likely to be in the bottom 20 per cent while their Western Australian counterparts are more likely to be in the top 20 per cent of income earners, thanks to the mining boom of recent years.

The report found NSW, Victoria and Queensland had a more even representation of people across the income spectrum.

South Australians, meanwhile, were more likely to be found at the bottom or middle.

There is also a rural and urban divide with metropolitan residents better off compared to their country cousins.

Perth, Sydney and Brisbane had more residents in the top 20 per cent of income earners and less at the other end, compared to other cities.

KEY FINDINGS OF ACOSS INEQUALITY REPORT

* Tasmanians more likely to be in bottom 20 per cent of income earners

* Western Australians are more likely to be in top 20 per cent

* City people better off compared to regional Australians

* NSW, Victoria and Queensland even distribution across income spectrum

* Perth, Sydney and Brisbane more likely to be in top 20 per cent.