A generation under pressure

The survey of 1,020 young Australians paints a stark picture of the impact of housing affordability on everyday life.

• More than half (53%) say they would consider moving overseas for more affordable housing, with 16% saying they definitely would.
• Only 20% believe they are very likely to ever own a home, while half are unsure or pessimistic.
• More than half (53%) are paying more than 30% of their income on rent.
  27% say rent absorbs more than half their income.
• 21% have delayed milestones such as study, moving out, or having children due to housing costs.
• Women are more likely to cut back on essentials like food and healthcare, while men are more likely to take on extra jobs or additional hours.
• 55% believe government is not doing enough to help their generation into housing.

A housing system under strain

Young Australians are tightening their budgets and delaying major life decisions, while the prospect of home ownership continues to move further out of reach. Renting privately is increasingly difficult, and the gap between incomes and housing costs continues to widen.

Without action, more young people will give up on the idea of a secure home in Australia and begin looking elsewhere for opportunity.

When more than half of young Australians say they would consider leaving the country for affordable housing, the housing crisis extends beyond individuals and households. It becomes a national issue with long term impacts on stability, workforce participation and the future of communities.

A mandate for action

There is strong public support for government action.

Nearly 80% of respondents say it is important for society that government builds more social and affordable housing, with 46% saying it is very important.

Young Australians are asking for a fair go and for housing to be treated as essential infrastructure.

There is a solution.

ONE IN TEN

The government MUST commit to build one in ten new affordable houses.

Housing was affordable when the government built affordable homes.

Both sides of politics (aligned) built homes, and it worked for decades – 15% of new homes in the 50s and 60s and 10% in the 70s and 80s. Now they build almost none.

We need the government to build again.