In recent political debates, figures like Peter Dutton have claimed that first-home buyers entered the property market with minimal personal savings—portraying it as a triumph of diligence. However, a closer examination reveals that while some past policies may have allowed young buyers to enter the market relatively “easily,” today’s landscape is very different. With wage growth lagging and housing costs skyrocketing, the pathway to homeownership has become increasingly challenging for the younger generation. Mandatory super contributions ensure that every Australian is saving more ‘diligently’ than past generations, yet those funds often remain untouched when it comes to making that crucial first purchase.

A Tale of Two Eras

Consider the contrast between 1990 and 2025 in Brisbane. In 1990, a two-bedroom unit might have cost around AU$93,000. After stamp duty and factoring in the Hawke government’s generous first-home buyer grant, a young trainee police officer—earning just under AU$17,000 a year—could have saved approximately AU$3,230 in two years (roughly 9.5% of his annual income) to secure a deposit. Fast forward to 2025, and the same type of unit now costs approximately AU$674,000. Even with substantial government grants, the required deposit hovers around AU$67,400—an amount that is far beyond the reach of many first-home buyers today. Moreover, while mandatory super contributions force every Australian to save diligently (with current saving rates around 11.5% of income), those funds remain largely inaccessible for home buying, perpetuating the affordability gap.

The New Proposal: Movement First-Home Buyers Grant

To address these systemic challenges, we propose the Movement First-Home Buyers Grant—a policy designed to create genuine stepping stones into homeownership for young Australians. Here’s how it works:

• Generous Grant Amount:
  A one-off grant of AU$60,000 would be provided, intended to cover roughly 60% of the required deposit for a new build in a rural or suburban setting. These areas, which offer larger homes on the outskirts of town, provide a more affordable entry point for young families and individuals.
• Using Super for the Remainder:
  Recognizing that mandatory super contributions ensure that every Australian saves more than previous generations, first-home buyers would be allowed to tap into their superannuation to cover the remaining deposit. Even if this means drawing down 100% of their super, the primary residence would eventually serve as a retirement asset. This approach transforms homeownership from a sacrifice into a strategic investment that helps secure one’s future.

Why This Approach Works

Critics of using superannuation for home purchases argue that it compromises retirement savings. However, when a home is viewed as a long-term asset—one that generates equity over time—it effectively becomes part of a broader retirement strategy. This proposal would:

• Lower the Entry Threshold: Young buyers wouldn’t need to save as aggressively over decades, easing the burden on those already struggling under high housing costs.
• Enhance Economic Security: Entering the property market earlier means locking in lower housing costs relative to lifetime incomes, thus reducing the long-term strain on disposable income.
• Strengthen Collective Economic Power: With a unified approach, we can shift the narrative from individual “diligence” to collective progress—ensuring that future savings are directed toward a stable, affordable housing market.
• Encouraging Tomorrow’s Taxpayers: Homeownership shifts an individual’s focus toward improving their home, advancing their career, and paying down their mortgage—leading to higher workforce participation, greater financial stability

The $60,000 grant isn’t a handout; it’s an investment in the next generation of taxpayers. These first-home buyers are at the very beginning of their peak earning years, meaning they will contribute significantly to income tax, GST, and local economies over the coming decades—far exceeding the initial cost of the grant.

Addressing Structural Issues

The current housing market has been shaped by decades of policies that prioritize investors and speculative gains over the needs of everyday citizens. By:

• Incentivizing Local, Community-Focused Development,
• Allowing Responsible Use of Superannuation,
• Lowering the Financial Barriers to Homeownership,

we can begin to reverse the trend of escalating housing costs relative to income. These measures not only offer practical benefits for first-home buyers but also challenge the status quo that has long favored short-term market wins over long-term societal stability.

A Call to Action for the Upcoming Election

With a federal election on the horizon, the time is ripe for real, structural change. Both major parties have, in the past, offered piecemeal fixes that fail to address the root causes of housing unaffordability. The Movement First-Home Buyers Grant represents a bold, innovative solution that meets young Australians where they are—providing a clear pathway into the property market and ensuring that the dream of homeownership is within reach once again.

By shifting the conversation from short-term political wins to genuine, long-term structural reform, we can transform homeownership from an elusive goal into a cornerstone of a stable, prosperous future. It’s time to reimagine our economic priorities and invest in policies that secure a brighter future for all Australians.