The middle class in China is often mentioned in the media; defining the middle class and determining the pace of its development, however, is subject to much debate and contention. The rising numbers in Asia's middle class are also expected to be a boon for the Australian economy, especially in the tourism sector.

Middle class welfare has been a controversial issue in policy debates in Australia in recent years. The research examined in the paper suggests that the issues relating to middle class welfare are more complex than generally suggested in the various debates on this topic in Australia and overseas.