Working on the assumption that prospective buyers start with a balance of $5000 and put away 15% of after tax earning each month, comparison website mozo.com believes it would take 10 years and eight months to save $113,000, the amount needed for a 20% deposit on the average priced Australian dwelling.
While the 10 years and eight months is the estimated time for an average dwelling across Australia, the time frame to build up a deposit could be even longer if they’re looking to buy in certain capital cities.
“First homebuyers are having to face the huge hurdle of bridging the ‘deposit gap’ to buy a property, which could take anywhere between six and 14 years, depending on the city,” mozo.com director Kirsty Lamont said.
“These figures are based on an average dwelling in each city, so saving for the Aussie dream of a quarter acre block would take even longer,” Lamont said.
| Capital City | Deposit amount (20% of average dwelling price) |
Monthly saving amount |
Years to save |
| National | $113,000 | $735 | 10 years, 8 months |
| Sydney | $154,440 | $741 | 14 years, 1 month |
| Melbourne | $112,000 | $701 | 11 years, 1 month |
| Darwin | $103,000 | $725 | 9 years, 11 months |
| Canberra | $107,000 | $825 | 9 years, 2 months |
| Perth | $102,000 | $814 | 8 years, 11 months |
| Brisbane | $91,000 | $726 | 8 years, 10 months |
| Adelaide | $81,000 | $679 | 8 years, 5 months |
| Hobart | $63,100 | $649 | 6 years, 10 months |
the average after-tax salary in each state. Years to save is based on the average savings account
interest rate of 2.32%, with a $5,000 starting balance. Source: mozo.com.au.
While the Mozo figures suggest owning a property may a long way down the track for most people, Phillipe Brach, head of Multifocus Properties & Finance, said people shouldn't be put off by the figures.
"Yes when you look at the raw numbers it is proabably a little scray, but there are ways to make saving a deposit easier," Brach said.
"We see a lot of people who get some help from their parents, which used to be uncommon and people are now buying with their friends and family as well.
"I'm not suggesting people over extend themselves, but there are also lenders which might give you more thanm 80% which can make the saving time shorter."
