Sydney households are no longer the nation's wealthiest after being overtaken by residents in Melbourne, Perth and Canberra.

New figures also show the nation's richest households are expanding their wealth three times faster than the poorest groups, sparking calls for more taxes on sources of wealth such as property.

Sydney is now ranked fourth in average household net worth behind Melbourne, Perth and Canberra. Credit:Fairfax

The Bureau of Statistics yesterday said the average Sydney household had a net worth of $766,700 in 2009-10, up from $697,200.

For the first time since the survey began in 2003-04, this was less than the national average of $771,800, and behind other capital cities where house prices have soared. Melbourne households were the wealthiest, with net worth of $866,000, followed by Perth households, which had a net worth of $853,400.