Australia Has 136,000 Empty Homes Despite Housing Shortage
Australia is facing a housing shortage, yet more than 136,000 homes across the country remain unoccupied, according to new research.
An analysis by Ray White Group economist Atom Go Tian, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data, found that 136,278 of the nation’s 10 million dwellings were classified as inactive. This represents 1.3 per cent of Australia’s total housing stock.
Sydney and Melbourne recorded the highest numbers of inactive homes, accounting for around one-third of the national total.
However, regional Northern Territory had the highest proportion of inactive dwellings at 4.5 per cent, followed by regional Western Australia at 3.2 per cent.
Esperance Surrounds in WA topped the list, with 11.4 per cent of its approximately 1,000 homes classified as inactive. Other areas with high rates included mining and agricultural communities such as Newman, Mukinbudin and Gnowangerup.
The figures also revealed that empty homes are not limited to remote towns affected by declining industries.
Popular holiday destinations, including Lorne-Anglesea in Victoria, recorded high numbers of inactive properties. Seven of the 10 statistical areas with the highest numbers were in Victoria, including Point Nepean and Phillip Island.
Inner-city areas such as Melbourne’s CBD, Docklands, Southbank and Carlton also featured, despite strong housing demand.
While some properties remain vacant because of seasonal use or investment purposes, the findings highlight a growing contrast between Australia’s housing shortage and the number of homes sitting unused.
The historic mining town of Silverton in NSW offers a different example. Once home to more than 3,000 people during its silver mining boom, the town now has a population of around 48.
The latest figures suggest that Australia’s housing challenge is not only about building more homes, but also about understanding why so many existing properties remain inactive.
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Source : Domain News
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