Stagnant Wages Hamper Homeownership for Young Australians

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

In its analysis, Per Capita underscores how those in their late 20s and early 30s have seen a significant decrease in homeownership. Historical data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a steep fall from 64% in 1971 to just 50% in 2021 for individuals aged 30 to 34 owning a home. Similarly, homeownership for 25 to 29-year-olds plummeted from 50% to 36% in the same span.

The core issue, as outlined by Per Capita, is the widening gap between wages and rapidly escalating home prices. In the early 1970s, it was common for wages to keep pace with house prices, allowing for homeownership within five years of dedicated saving. However, over the last decade, this balance has shifted dramatically, with wages lagging behind the sharp increase in property costs.

From 2012 to 2022, young Australians reportedly faced what Per Capita terms a "lost decade" of wage stagnation. The implications are clear: individuals were not only missing out on the ability to save for a home deposit but also saw their borrowing capacity diminish.

The switch in wage and home price dynamics is stark. While nominal wages doubled between 2003 and 2024, house prices surged by nearly threefold. According to Per Capita's estimates, workers lost on average $4,990 per year, amounting to a cumulative financial hit of $54,000 over the decade. These financial constraints have stymied the ability to save for home deposits drastically.

Per Capita points to historical policy decisions, specifically the Coalition’s Work Choices legislation, as a factor suppressing wage growth. However, they suggest a positive shift, as the current wage growth trajectory suggests improvements, albeit with recovery from the stagnation labeled as a long-term challenge.

Amid these criticisms, Per Capita overlooks other factors impacting young Australians' housing affordability, such as high immigration levels. They argue that increased immigration pressures the housing market, drives up rents, requires larger deposits, and intensifies labor market competition, which could suppress wage growth further.

Moving forward, addressing this multifaceted issue will require actions that consider wage growth, housing policy, and immigration to enhance prospects for young Australians. As the economy continues to evolve, the need for strategic policy interventions to secure sustainable and equitable economic participation remains critical.

Published:Wednesday, 2nd Apr 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Borrowers Recheck Their Home Loans as Refinancing Lifts

05 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s mortgage market appears to be moving into a more active phase, with the latest lending indicators pointing to renewed borrower engagement after months of caution. Rather than waiting passively for clearer interest rate direction, many households seem to be testing whether their existing home loan still stacks up against current market offers. - read more

Rate Relief May Be Coming, But Borrowers Face a Longer Wait

22 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian mortgage holders have been given a cautious glimpse of future relief, with Westpac shifting its long-range interest rate forecast and bringing its expected timing for cuts forward to August 2027. That move means all four major banks now broadly expect borrowers to see lower rates from next year, rather than waiting until 2028. - read more

Australians Turn Tax Refunds Into Home Loan Breathing Room

15 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Tax time is shaping up less like a spending season and more like a reset moment for Australian households. Fresh reporting based on Finder research suggests many people expecting a 2026 tax refund are planning to bank the money, pay bills or reduce debt rather than spend it on discretionary purchases. - read more

Mortgage Rate Competition Heats Up for Australian Borrowers

08 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian mortgage competition has taken a notable turn, with a growing group of lenders trimming selected home loan rates even after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s May cash rate increase. According to recent market reporting, 18 lenders have reduced at least some variable mortgage rates, while AMP Bank has made one of the sharper fixed-rate moves, cutting selected fixed rates by up to 0.50 percentage points. - read more

Property Price Falls Give Buyers a Timely Reality Check

01 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s housing market has shifted into a more cautious phase, with the latest PropTrack Home Price Index showing national values declined for a third consecutive month in June. The fall was broad-based, with every capital city except Darwin recording softer prices, although national values remain close to recent record highs. - read more

Click for more Finance News