Young Australians are facing an unprecedented crisis of affordability, with nearly three-quarters of those surveyed expressing deep concern about buying a home. According to a new study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, housing affordability is now a far greater worry for Generation Z than climate change or securing a job in their chosen field.
The research, which surveyed two cohorts aged 19-20 and 23-24, found that 74% of the 4,168 respondents reported feeling “quite a bit” or “very concerned” about housing affordability. This anxiety far outstrips concerns over global economic problems (42%) and climate change (41%), with just under 40% worried about finding a job in their chosen profession.
Despite these anxieties, the study reveals that young Australians are not disengaged from public life. In fact, over 80% of participants had signed an online petition related to government policy in the past five years, and nearly 60% had joined or followed social media groups campaigning on social or political issues.
However, this engagement does not translate into trust for traditional political institutions. Only 15% of respondents reported having “a lot of trust” or “some trust” in politicians and political parties – a level mirrored by news from social media. Traditional news media fared only slightly better at 18%. Hospitals (86%), scientists (75%), and police (66%) were the most trusted institutions.
The findings highlight a significant disconnect, with just 11% of young Australians believing the political system allows for a “meaningful say” in government decisions. A staggering 38% found politics too complicated to understand – a stark illustration of the growing chasm between Generation Z and traditional politics.