Young women are increasingly prioritizing home ownership less than their male counterparts, primarily due to rising costs and difficulties qualifying for mortgages. According to Cotality’s sixth annual Women and Property Report, fewer than 40 percent of Generation Z women—those born between 1997 and 2012—view property ownership as highly important. Comparatively, nearly 50 percent of Gen Z men hold that view.
The trend continues among millennials, where 58 percent of women rate property ownership as highly important, in contrast to 67 percent of men. These findings indicate that affordability pressures are reshaping long-standing aspirations, particularly for younger women who struggle to save for home purchases.
Challenges in the Housing Market
Gerard Burg, head of research at Cotality, highlighted the implications of this data for policymakers and financial institutions. He stated, “These findings raise important questions about how to better support young Australians—especially women—in achieving property ownership if it remains a national goal.” The gender pay gap exacerbates these challenges, as it grows throughout women’s careers.
A separate report from Domain reveals the extent of the barriers faced by first-home buyers. Despite three rounds of interest rate cuts, affordability worsened nationwide in 2025. Entry-level house prices surged by 68 percent, far exceeding the 21 percent growth in wages during the same period. Nicola Powell, Domain’s chief of research and economics, remarked, “We’re creating whole waves of generations that are just not going to be able to purchase a home.”
Across major cities, repayments on entry-level houses consume nearly half of a typical young couple’s income, an increase of almost 24 percent over the past five years. This figure is concerning, especially when considering that it is based on dual-income households. For women attempting to enter the market on a single income, the challenges of saving for a deposit and meeting mortgage requirements become even more daunting.
The Gender Pay Gap and Its Impact
The gender pay gap, as reported by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, peaks in women’s late fifties, leaving them significantly behind men in lifetime earnings. At ages 20 to 24, the gap is 1.1 percent in favor of men, but it escalates to 31.4 percent between the ages of 55 and 59. This discrepancy translates to an average difference of nearly $53,000 in total remuneration over their careers.
Upfront costs such as deposits, stamp duty, and transaction fees are often cited as major obstacles for prospective buyers, disproportionately affecting women. Despite shifting attitudes among younger generations, property ownership remains a cornerstone of financial security and long-term opportunity.
Lisa Jennings, chief commercial officer at Cotality, emphasized the growing difficulty for young women to save for home deposits. “Saving for a home deposit has become significantly harder for many young Australian women, particularly as they navigate lower average earnings, career breaks, and rising living costs,” she explained.
To ensure property ownership remains an achievable goal, it is vital for governments, industry, and employers to collaborate in removing barriers. Providing targeted support can help women build the necessary savings and enter the market with confidence.
