Over the past 30 years, we have observed various cycles of growth and declines across the national index. Each of these upswings and downturns have been influenced by various factors such as taxation policy, monetary policy decisions, economic shocks, fiscal stimulus, and broader economic conditions.

A primary factor behind the increase in property prices is the demand for housing outstripping its supply. If we don’t take appropriate steps to address the housing shortage, the demand for housing will likely continue to rise, putting pressure on property prices to rise even further. To put this in perspective, Australia is predicted to experience above-average population growth. Historical trends show that with a growing population, there is a natural increase in property prices due to higher demand.

The price of education has skyrocketed in Australia, as the basic costs to send a child to school, university or kindergarten climb quicker than almost every major household expense monitored by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

As rapid inflation and interest rate rises add to living costs, analysis of the consumer price index shows education fees have escalated in the past 20 years to fill three of the top 10 fastest-growing expenses among 87 categories tracked by the ABS.

Retirees are increasingly having to use their superannuation to pay off mortgages as housing costs and home loans expand in size.

The decline in home ownership rates among older Australians is posing a significant threat to the adequacy of Australia’s retirement income system, according to a new report commissioned by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST).

Independent economist Saul Eslake – who is the author of the report titled, “No place like home: the impact of declining home ownership on retirement” – said the decline in home ownership among younger Australians can also be seen among the 35 to 55 age bracket.

“They will increasingly use their super to pay off their mortgage debt which means they won’t be using their super to fund their retirement incomes and instead will be relying on the pension.”

Many Australians are facing a long-term cost-of-living crisis.

Thanks to inflation and incremental interest rate rises, more than half are reportedly only just making ends meet – or actually failing to do so.

It’s also getting harder and harder for many of us to pay for essentials like food, bills, rents and mortgages. This level of financial stress is similar to what was reported during the pandemic – with 57 per cent of people struggling in 2020 and 55 per cent in 2021.

So, which groups of Australians are now finding it almost impossible to pay for necessities? And how can we encourage greater financial security?

The grim news continues for the one-in-three Australians who rents a home after new analysis revealed that rents will jump a staggering 10 per cent more this year – the highest level since the GFC – and will continue to rise by extraordinary levels into 2026.

Analysis from investment group Jarden shows how the cost of living crisis will continue to hit the one third of Australians who rent, with rental price growth expected to soar beyond its current 15-year high of 7.8 per cent.

It has examined rental inflation in Australia and found it is already running at 10 per cent higher this year – a figure not seen since the GFC in 2008 – and will jump by 8 per cent in 2025. Rents are expected to continue to rise above 6 per cent into 2026 too.