Frontline Workers Priced Out: Affordable Housing in Queensland Beyond Reach

The Unsung Heroes: Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Frontline workers are the backbone of our society. They look after our children, take care of us when we’re ill, and educate the next generation. Despite their essential roles, many of these dedicated professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to afford living in Queensland.

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The Startling Findings of the Beyond Reach Report

A new report from the Property Council of Australia, titled "Beyond Reach," paints a grim picture for essential workers in south-east Queensland. The report highlights that affordable housing—defined as housing costs that are 30 per cent or less of your income—has "almost ceased to exist" for these workers.

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Housing Affordability: A Distant Dream

According to Queensland executive director Jess Caire, even dual-income families with an average gross income of $150,000 find buying an established home "beyond reach." The situation is no better for house and land packages, which are also deemed "unaffordable."

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The Reality for Childcare Workers and Public Servants

The report provides specific examples to illustrate the crisis:

• A full-time childcare worker, earning an average of $62,407 a year, would need to spend between 40 to 65 per cent of their income on renting a home and between 30 to 55 per cent on a unit.

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• A full-time public servant, with an average wage of $95,747 a year, would need to allocate 30 to 50 per cent of their income to rent a home and just over 20 to 40 per cent on a unit.

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Limited Choices in a Competitive Market

Renting becomes somewhat more affordable in a dual-income household. However, with a mere one per cent vacancy rate across the state, Ms. Caire pointed out that frontline workers have very little choice in the type of home they live in and its location.

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The Solution 

SMSF property investment with Supavest is the solution to the essential workers housing crisis. 

Are you looking to be part of the solution? Get in touch with the team today to learn how investing in brand new house and land builds is also an investment for Australia. 

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