From 1996 to 2021, Australia’s rate of housing mobility declined from 18% of people moving homes per year to 15% – equivalent to around 750,000 fewer moves each year. This paper assesses the implications of this shift and outlines the underlying drivers. Past work links this to Australia’s decline in job mobility, but this paper finds at most weak links. The findings challenge a number of common narratives. 

The ageing population and rising housing costs have potential to generate intergenerational inequality, and declining coupling among young people has implications for Australia’s population sustainability. 

Key findings

• Non-work related moves have declined far more than work-related moves.
• Around half of the total decline is due to the ageing population, because people move less as they age.
• Around one third of the total decline is due to 18 to 24 year olds living longer with their parents.
• More of the 25 to 44 year old age group now rents rather than owns, and renters move more than owners.