The latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia report points to rising financial pressure even as employment remains historically strong.
The University of Melbourne says half of Australians aged 18 to 29 were living with their parents in 2024, up from 39 per cent in 2001. Among households in the five mainland capitals, 36 per cent of renters and 30 per cent of mortgage holders were spending more than 30 per cent of disposable income on housing.
Food insecurity affected 18 per cent of respondents aged 15 and over in 2024, compared with 13.7 per cent in 2020. Employment among people aged 18 to 64 reached the highest levels recorded by the study, but researchers said earnings had not kept pace with increases in housing and other essential costs.
The report draws on annual interviews with more than 17,000 people and analyses data collected from 2001 to 2024. It also found half of workers felt over-educated for their job, while younger people reported worsening health and fatigue measures.
Sources: University of Melbourne summary; HILDA Statistical Report page.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration. The people shown are fictional and do not represent survey participants.
