Key takeaways
For most younger Australians, owning a home isn’t just about having a place to live — it’s about leveraging property to generate income and build wealth.
More than half (58%) of Gen Z homeowners are exploring ways to make money from their homes.
Demand will grow for flexible homes that can generate income or house multiple generations.
Investors should anticipate rising interest in properties with dual-income potential, granny flats, or layouts suitable for multigenerational living.
Family lending is becoming more structured — investors and parents should think about formal agreements.
For generations, owning a home has been a deeply personal milestone in Australia: the great Australian dream.
But today, we’re seeing a new twist on that dream, particularly among Gen Z homeowners.
For them, property isn’t just about shelter or status. It’s about opportunity.
A recent Great Southern Bank report reveals that younger Australians are approaching homeownership with an entrepreneurial mindset.
They’re not simply buying a home to live in, they’re looking for ways to make their property work harder for them financially.
How Gen Z is turning homes into income streams
The numbers speak for themselves:
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58% of Gen Z homeowners are considering ways to generate income from their home.
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24% say they’d like to turn their home into an investment property.
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19% are open to renting out a room or the entire property.
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16% are keen to run a business from home.
That’s a very different approach from previous generations, where the home was more often seen as a “forever place”, a lifestyle choice rather than a financial lever.
This reflects a broader truth about today’s market: in an environment of high property prices, higher interest rates, and squeezed affordability, younger buyers are getting creative.
They’re asking: How can my home help me build wealth faster?
The bank of Mum and Dad, but with a twist
It’s no secret that family support plays a big role in getting onto the property ladder.
But what’s interesting is how younger homeowners now view that support.
The report found that:
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44% of young buyers who received help from parents intend to pay it back as soon as possible.
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30% plan to pay it back with interest.
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Only 5% said they’d be unable to repay the money.
This shift turns what was once considered a “handout” into more of a "hand up" or a “handshake”
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It shows a new sense of accountability and financial responsibility.
Parents can take comfort in knowing their generosity is seen less as a gift and more as a stepping stone.
The rise of multigenerational living
Another fascinating insight from the report is around living arrangements.
A growing number of parents are happy for their adult children to live at home indefinitely.
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Almost 1 in 4 parents (23%) would let their children stay forever.
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Among Baby Boomers, that figure rises to 40%.
This reflects a cultural shift. Instead of pushing kids out early to “make it on their own,” families are prioritising financial security.
By living at home longer, many young adults can save for a deposit or reduce financial pressure, which may accelerate their journey into the market.
What this means for property investors
For investors, these insights point to several emerging themes:
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Creative wealth-building – Gen Z is less attached to traditional ideas of homeownership. They’re more open to renting out space, co-living, or leveraging their home equity for entrepreneurial ventures.
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The bank of Mum and Dad evolves – Parents providing support should think about formalising these arrangements – whether via loans, equity stakes, or family agreements – to reflect this new “repayable” mindset.
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Multigenerational living grows – Investors should watch for demand in homes with secondary dwellings, granny flats, or layouts that suit multiple generations under one roof.
Final thoughts
Gen Z is rewriting the playbook on homeownership.
They’re not waiting 30 years to see their property “pay off.”
Instead, they’re leveraging their homes as income-generating assets from day one.
This proactive, entrepreneurial mindset will shape the property market for years to come.
For savvy investors, there’s a lesson here: property isn’t just about location anymore.
It’s about flexibility, adaptability, and maximising every opportunity your property can provide.
