Rental shortages are forcing young people to live with their parents for longer, with university students struggling to make ends meet.
With the housing market at an all-time high, and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to rise independent of wages, it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people with no experience or references, to be able to move away from home.
University Student Genevieve Phillips has spent the last year and a half travelling to and from Sydney in order to attend her classes whilst continuing to live with her parents in Wollongong due to the cost of living and lack of affordable accommodation in Sydney.
“It’s really hard because I’ve got so much to do and don’t have enough time to fit everything in. I work three jobs to try and support myself, plus full-time uni,” Ms Phillips said.
“I’ve had to change most of my classes to be online to cut down on travel time and fit as much as I can in one day if I do have to travel to Sydney, because there’s just nowhere to go.”
Tamworth resident Indianna Diss is in her third year at the University of Wollongong. Despite the help of a scholarship, her parents are still supporting her financially.
“I’m really lucky that I’m in a position where my parents support me,” she said.
“We have a deal where, if I pay for some stuff, they’ll cover my rent and my groceries.
“My parents believe really strongly in education. They said it’s not their fault that they don’t live in a university town, and that my education shouldn’t have to suffer in favour of having to work every day to be able to afford to live here.”
The Australian Institute of Family Studies found a marked increase of the percentage of 19-year-olds living at home in 2021 when compared to the first report in 2006, with the biggest jump of 65% to 72% occurring between 2016 and 2021.
Current economic and housing trends are definitely not friends to young people looking to fly the nest without having to choose between studying or working full-time for financial independence.
University students are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, with many struggling to pay their rent and buy groceries. As young people with no rental references or experience beyond living on-campus, some are having to make compromises in order to keep studying.
