Maybe on average yes, but these averages do not represent ability to become financially independent. What they are based on is comparison of earning power of generations and other markers, such as education levels.

By these measures, if you are after 50's style middle class living, it is true, Australia offers a much better bet. Here's an article on a miner making 200k: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405297020462190457701...

With proper saving and conservative living, you can easily save enough to be relatively secure.

I'll keep working in tech here.