ACROSS Queensland, new housing is being marketed as “affordable” – from townhouse developments to coastal infill projects – but with rising living costs and stretched household budgets, many are questioning what affordable really means in 2025.
By general definition, affordable housing is considered to cost no more than 30 per cent of a household’s gross income. This guideline is used by governments and planners to determine whether a home is financially sustainable without causing stress.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average full-time adult income in Queensland is $1975.80 per week, or $102,741 annually (ABS 6302.0, Nov 2024). Based on that, affordable housing should cost no more than $593 per week or $2570 per month. However, this figure doesn’t reflect the experience of many Queenslanders. Median incomes sit closer to $55,000-$65,000, and a large portion of the population relies on part-time, casual, or lower-income work.
The average house price in Queensland has now surpassed $810,000, while median rents have reached $630 per week – well beyond what many would consider affordable
Some developers include a portion of affordable dwellings, or offer shared equity or rent-to-own options, but these are limited in scope. Government programs and planning intentions aim to increase supply and ease competitiveness – with the goal of levelling the playing field.
However, in practice, outcomes don’t always match the original vision, especially when infrastructure and service delivery can’t keep pace.
There’s no perfect solution – it’s a complex issue with many layers that won’t be solved overnight.
The term “affordable housing” means something different to everyone, depending on their income, location, and life stage. What matters most is ensuring that future development reflects the real needs of the communities it’s built to serve.
