THE average Australian household is now worth more than half a million dollars, but the wealthiest households are getting richer at more than twice the rate of the poorest.

Latest Bureau of Statistics figures show that rising house prices and growth in superannuation assets are what's pushing up household wealth.

While the Reserve Bank focuses on the fact that our assets have exceeded our debts in determining that household finances are generally in sound shape, only 1 per cent of total household wealth went to the lowest-income households.

For those in the lowest income category — that is households with an annual income of less than $75,500 — average household wealth increased just 5 per cent to $24,505.

But for those in the highest — those with a household income above $749,000 — average household wealth over the two-year period increased 11 per cent to $1.16 million.