Media Release
Homeownership too expensive in Armadale, Gosnells and Midland for police
officers, teachers and other frontline workers
Western Australian police officers, teachers and other important frontline workers are locked out of homeownership in Perth's traditionally affordable suburbs, new Property Council research has found.
Buying a detached home in Armadale, Midland and Gosnells is too expensive for frontline workers in single-income households - and is still largely unaffordable for relatively well-paid frontline workers in dual-income households.
The research, Beyond Reach: Mapping Perth's housing crisis for frontline workers, surveyed the affordability of 15 suburbs across Perth, which represent a diverse range of communities economically and geographically.
Six hypothetical households consisting of different frontline workers are represented in the report, ranging from police officers and paramedics to childcare workers and schoolteachers. Their professional experience spans from three years to a decade.
Key considerations for these households include that they are aged in their late 20s, began attaining qualifications straight after high school and are being paid award wages based on their years of experience.
The only household in the report that could afford a detached home is comprised of a full-time ambulance officer and nurse on a combined $211,124. Only homes in Armadale, Midland and Gosnells are considered affordable for the couple.
Comments attributable to Property Council WA Executive Nicola Brischetto:
"Perth's housing crisis has all but locked our most important frontline workers out of home ownership."
"Concerningly, in Perth suburbs traditionally considered affordable, such as Armadale, Gosnells and Midland, home ownership is now out of reach for frontline workers in single-income households.
"Even in dual-income households, home ownership for our key workers is now unaffordable in the majority of the suburbs surveyed.
"This comes as no surprise, given that since 2020, median house prices in Perth have risen by more than 65 per cent, and rents have increased by more than 83 per cent.
"Unlike office workers, frontline workers don't have the option of working from home and frequently work odd hours. They need to be able to live near their workplace.
"A nurse working night shift at Sir Charles Gardener shouldn't have to commute 30 to 40 minutes in the early hours because they can't afford a home closer to work.
"We need to dramatically increase the supply and diversity of new housing to give these crucial members of our community the chance of owning a home of their own."
