Western Australia’s frontline workers, including police officers and teachers, are facing significant challenges in achieving homeownership in traditionally affordable suburbs of Perth, according to new research by the Property Council WA. The report, titled Beyond Reach: Mapping Perth’s housing crisis for frontline workers, reveals that purchasing a detached home in suburbs such as Armadale, Midland, and Gosnells has become increasingly out of reach for these essential workers.
The study surveyed the affordability of housing in **15 suburbs** across Perth, highlighting a range of economic and geographic diversity. It focused on six hypothetical households composed of various frontline professionals, including police officers, paramedics, childcare workers, and schoolteachers. The households represented in the report have experience ranging from three to ten years and are typically comprised of individuals in their late 20s who began their education immediately after high school.
The findings indicate that only one of the hypothetical households, made up of a full-time ambulance officer and a nurse with a combined income of $211,124, could afford a detached home. For this couple, only properties in Armadale, Midland, and Gosnells are deemed affordable.
Rising Costs Impacting Homeownership
Nicola Brischetto, Executive at Property Council WA, expressed concern over the findings, stating, “Perth’s housing crisis has all but locked our most important frontline workers out of home ownership.” Brischetto emphasized that even dual-income households struggle with affordability in most of the suburbs surveyed.
Since 2020, median house prices in Perth have increased by more than 65 percent, while rents have surged by over 83 percent. These rising costs have made it particularly difficult for frontline workers, who often do not have the option to work from home and typically face irregular hours. Brischetto highlighted the need for these workers to live near their places of employment, noting, “A nurse working the 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.”
The report underscores the urgency of addressing housing supply and diversity, calling for significant increases to meet the needs of these crucial community members. Brischetto’s comments reflect a growing concern that without intervention, many frontline workers may never achieve the dream of homeownership, further straining their financial stability and quality of life.
As Perth continues to grapple with its housing crisis, the need for comprehensive solutions that prioritize the well-being of frontline workers has never been more pressing. The findings serve as a call to action for local governments and policymakers to create opportunities that will enable these essential workers to secure homes in the communities they serve.
