The data tells a confronting story. Between April 1999 and April 2026, Australian housing prices surged by 407 per cent — more than twice as fast as average incomes over the same period. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data cited in Budget Paper No. 1, median housing prices have climbed from four times average full-time earnings in 1999 to eight times today. The affordability ratio has doubled in just over two decades. Home ownership rates paint an equa

Australia's property market has long been one of the most resilient in the world. Yet more and more young Australians are deferring homeownership, often pushing their first purchase into their late 30s or beyond. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the median age of first home buyers in Australia now sits at approximately 36 years—a notable shift from the early 30s recorded by previous generations. Meanwhile, CoreLogic data confirms that Australian propert

There's an unofficial checklist circulating amongst Australian property buyers — and it has nothing to do with price-per-square-metre or depreciation schedules. It's called the "Mum Test." The idea is straightforward: if the family matriarch walks through a suburb or a home and feels genuinely safe, connected, and comfortable, the property has a strong chance of making the shortlist. But what began as a lighthearted phrase has evolved into a measurable, data-backed behaviour

Australia's property market has long been one of the most reliable wealth-creation engines in the developed world. But heading into 2026, with interest rates stabilising after a turbulent rate cycle, population growth accelerating, and federal infrastructure investment at record levels, investors are asking a sharper question than ever before: commercial vs residential real estate investment in Australia 2026 — which genuinely delivers better returns? The answer requires dat