Australia's 5% deposit scheme, touted as a way to boost home ownership among first-time buyers, has instead been largely taken up by higher-income individuals, sparking concerns that it may be driving up property prices. Figures show that nearly a third of loans issued under the scheme went to borrowers earning more than the previous income limits, leaving economists questioning its impact on affordability.
The government's decision to remove income caps in 2023 was seen as a key election promise. However, data from Housing Australia reveals that between October last year and April this year, 39,704 loans were issued under the scheme – with 13,979 going to borrowers who would have been excluded before.
Among these are 6,812 single applicants earning over A$125,000 (approximately £65,000) and 7,167 joint applicants with combined incomes exceeding A$200,000 (approximately £104,000). Economists warn that by supporting higher-income buyers, the scheme may be fuelling inflation in property prices.
Independent economist Saul Eslake suggests that government support is inadvertently enabling individuals to take on more debt and drive up prices across the board. Amy Auster of Policy Institute Australia also expresses concern that the scheme has largely benefited those who would have bought a home regardless, rather than truly boosting affordability for those in need.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, first-home buyer loans averaged around 10,181 per month between October and March – a less than 3% rise compared to the preceding six months. This suggests that the scheme has not significantly expanded home ownership, but rather allowed more expensive properties to qualify for government support.
Analysis by Cotality indicates that while prices initially rose slowly on properties below new price caps, they accelerated once the scheme was expanded – further indicating a potential inflationary effect. Critics argue that the scheme's true impact lies in driving up property values rather than addressing affordability issues.
Source: Guardian Australia