For decades, owning a home has been part of the Australian dream. It represented security, stability, and the chance to build wealth over time. However, new research suggests that younger Australians — particularly women — are starting to see property ownership as less achievable.
Rising costs, lower savings capacity, and financial barriers are shifting attitudes toward buying property. But the bigger question is this: are these barriers permanent, or is there simply a lack of education and strategy?
At Teach Me About Property (TMAP), the belief is simple: property should be accessible to everyday Australians, not just the wealthy.
Recent research from Cotality’s 2026 Women and Property Report found that young Australian women place less importance on owning property compared with men in the same age groups.
Among Generation Z:
Among Millennials:
These numbers show a noticeable shift in mindset. For many young women, property ownership no longer feels like a realistic goal — it feels like something that may be out of reach.
But the reason is not a lack of ambition. The main issue is affordability.
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of purchasing property is saving the money required at the start.
According to the report:
The impact is even stronger for women:
For Generation Z, the numbers climb even higher, with 58% saying upfront costs are the biggest obstacle.
This challenge becomes even harder when income differences are considered. Women still earn less on average across their careers, which means saving for a deposit can take longer.
Property ownership is more than just having a place to live. It can also play a major role in building long-term financial security. Buying property earlier in life allows more time for:
Over time, property can open doors to additional opportunities such as upgrading homes, investing in more properties, or generating extra income. This is why many people aim to enter the market sooner rather than later.
One of the biggest misunderstandings about property is the idea that buyers must start with their dream home. In reality, many successful home buyers start with what they can afford first, then build from there.
At TMAP, students learn that property ownership is often about playing the long game. For example, the TMAP-2-STEP strategy focuses on buying an affordable property first, building equity over time, and then upgrading to the dream property later.
This approach helps everyday Australians get into the market earlier rather than waiting years to save for the perfect home. The goal is not perfection — the goal is progress.
The challenges facing young Australians — especially women — are real.
Higher living costs, wage differences, and rising property prices make saving harder than it was for previous generations. But the story does not have to end there.
With the right knowledge, strategies, and support network, property ownership can still be within reach. Because the truth is simple:
Property is not just for the wealthy. It is for anyone willing to learn the game.