What factors are influencing these changes over time?
Changing household demographics and population increases have influenced home ownership trends and a move from home ownership to renting privately. They have also influenced changes to the dwelling type needs of households (ABS 2017d; COAG 2018; Yates 2015).
Family and household composition
Family composition and marital status are related to housing tenure (Baxter & McDonald 2005; Stone et al. 2013). Over recent decades, the number of single-people households and single-parent households have increased and as a result, the average household size has decreased. These household types tend to have lower home ownership rates than other household types (Yates 2015). In 2017–18, 47% of single-parent households were renting, an increase from 42% in 2007–08. While changing household composition may be related to an increase in the proportion of people living in private rental dwellings, the percentage of couples with children who rented privately also increased from 20% to 24% during this 10-year period (ABS 2019; Warren & Qu 2020).
Population growth
Population increases in Australia are driving demand for housing, other services and infrastructure (COAG 2018). Brisbane (1.9%), Perth (1.8%) and Melbourne (1.6%) had the highest growth rates of the capital cities, in 2019–20 (ABS 2021b). Overseas migration has contributed to increased housing demand (Daley et al. 2018). Most immigrants move to major cities, leading to an increase in demand for housing in these areas. Melbourne and Sydney had the highest number of overseas migrants at 56,100 and 50,100, respectively (ABS 2021b). International students have also had an impact on the private rental market, predominantly in major cities (Parkinson et al. 2018). The subsequent pressure on housing stocks in these areas highlights the need for coordinated and well considered urban planning strategies.
Changes in dwelling types
The types of dwellings Australians live in has changed over time. The proportion of households occupying separate houses (see glossary) has decreased in the past 20 years, from 76% of all households in 1996 to 73% in 2016, offset by increases in semi-detached and townhouse households. In 2016, around 13% of households lived in semi–detached row or terrace and townhouses, up from 8% in 1996. A total of 13% of households lived in flats or apartments in both 1996 and 2016 (ABS 2001, 2017a).
For more information on home ownership and housing tenure, see:
References
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ABS 2017a. 2016 Census QuickStats. Viewed on 20 April 2021.
ABS 2017b. Census of Population and Housing, 1971 to 2016, customised report. Canberra: ABS.
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