Home Ownership Hub
First home buyer, seasoned investor, or want to make the most of your current mortgage? The Home Ownership hub is the go-to for the latest research, expert tips, and practical guidance on all things home loans.
Where do the insights come from?
We draw on over 10 years of ongoing, independent research. We’ve tracked the latest trends and opinions of home buyers at different stages of their journey. This ensures our insights reflect the real experiences of Australians.
Our research approach
Between 19th and 29th September 2025:
- 2,000 adults from all over Australia (both capital and non-capital city areas) took part in a survey
- Organised by Westpac, the survey was held online by Lonergan Research.*
This research means we can now share up-to-date findings from our latest Westpac Home Ownership Report.
★ FEATURED INSIGHT: Australians maintain interest in regional living for affordability and lifestyle
Australians continue to show strong interest in regional living, driven by affordability and lifestyle benefits, even as capital cities remain the dominant choice overall.
According to the latest Westpac Home Ownership Report, 28% of Australians plan to buy, invest or rent in regional areas. Interest has remained steady over the past year, indicating regional Australia continues to be viewed as a viable and appealing option rather than a short-term trend.
Fast facts
>25%
of Australians are planning to buy, invest or rent in a regional area
1 in 3
Australians have consistently considered a move outside the capital cities year-on-year
34%
cite lower cost of living and 33% point to more affordable house prices as the main reasons for a regional move
32%
say the biggest concern is distance from healthcare and schools
Case study: Amy and Ben
Rising costs, hybrid working and a yearning for space are prompting more people to look beyond city postcodes. The latest Westpac Home Ownership Report reflects this pull, finding nearly one in three Australians are planning to buy, invest or rent in a regional area.
Sydneysiders Amy and Ben are among them. After years in the Sutherland Shire, these pressures nudged the couple to rethink where their next chapter could unfold.
Latest home ownership insights
4 in 5 have changed their spending habits
3 in 4 expect challenges buying a next home
1 in 5 Aussies own an investment property
2 in 5 say finding the right home is a major pain point
Talk to a home lending specialist
We’ll support you at every stage of your home buying journey by making it easy to connect in the way that suits you.
- Tell us who you are, what you'd like to discuss, and how you'd like to meet — video call, phone, in branch or we can come to you.
- Choose a time that works for you and we’ll confirm your booking and who you’ll be meeting.
More insights
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Young buyers up their game
Despite ongoing affordability and tight supply, Gen Z are upping their home buying game.
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Support opportunities
With a government-backed grant or scheme for eligible buyers, you could become a homeowner sooner.
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Family security guarantee
Another way to make saving a deposit for a home easier. Find out how the guarantee works.
Things you should know
For Westpac issued products, conditions, fees and charges apply. These may change or we may introduce new ones in the future. Full details are available on request. Lending criteria apply to approval of credit products. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Terms and Conditions, before deciding. Target Market Determinations for the products are available. Unless otherwise specified, the products and services described on this website are available only in Australia from © Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714
*About the Westpac Home Ownership Report
The research was commissioned by Westpac and conducted by Lonergan Research in accordance with the ISO 20252 standard. Lonergan Research surveyed 2,000 Australians aged 18+ with surveys distributed throughout Australia including both capital city and non-capital city areas. The survey was conducted online amongst members of a permission-based panel, between 19 and 29 September 2025. After interviewing, data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.