For generations, owning a home has been at the heart of the Australian dream. In 1966, nearly three-quarters of Australian households owned their home, either outright or with a mortgage.

Fast-forward to the 2021 Census, and that figure had slipped to just 63 per cent.

For younger Australians, the drop has been even steeper. And while renting is far more common today, the cost of entry into home ownership has never been higher.

So what’s driving this change? Is it just the market doing what markets do, or have we set ourselves on a path where home ownership becomes an exclusive club?

That's what Simon Kuestenmacher and I discussed in today's episode of the Demographics Decoded Podcast.

 

 

Takeaways 

 

·         Homeownership is integral to a sense of belonging and financial security.

·         The peak homeownership rate in Australia was 75% in 1996, now it is 63%.

·         Younger Australians are facing steeper declines in homeownership rates.

·         Homeownership rates reflect both affordability and life cycle stages.

·         Government policies historically encouraged homeownership, but this has changed.

·         The wealth gap between homeowners and renters is increasing.

·         Political priorities are shifting as younger voters feel locked out of homeownership.

·         First home buyer incentives may lead to short-term price increases.

·         A balanced housing market supports economic stability and growth.

·         Gradual policy shifts are necessary to improve homeownership rates.

 

Chapters 

 

00:00 The Great Australian Dream: Homeownership Trends

02:05 Historical Context: Peak House in Australia

05:19 Demographic Shifts and Homeownership Rates

09:37 Economic Factors Influencing Homeownership

12:13 Wealth Gap: Owners vs. Renters

14:55 Political Implications of Homeownership Decline

17:46 The Role of Property Investors

20:42 Policy Recommendations for Housing

26:07 Future of Homeownership in Australia

 

About Simon Kuestenmacher

 

Simon Kuestenmacher  is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group

 

Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and