First home buyers defy the odds with Gen X support fuelling new wave of ownership
Brisbane’s property market, often characterised by its soaring prices and competitive landscape, is currently witnessing a notable trend. A new wave of first home buyers is breaking into the market, fuelled largely by the support of Gen X parents.
Despite the daunting property values in Brisbane, where median house prices have now surpassed $1 million and units are nearing $750,000, young Australians are finding innovative ways to secure their first homes. A significant factor in this movement is the backing from Gen X parents, as highlighted by the recent Finder’s First Home Buyer Report 2025. The report reveals that 17% of first-time buyers nationwide have received financial assistance from their parents, marking an increase of over 50% since 2022.
The Federal Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme, effective from 1 October, is also playing a crucial role in this shift. By scrapping scheme place and income limits and raising property price caps, the scheme allows more first home buyers to enter the market with just a five per cent deposit and no Lenders Mortgage Insurance. This policy change is expected to further empower young Australians in their pursuit of homeownership.
Recent research from Cotality supports these observations, confirming that Brisbane’s dwelling values have risen by 78.3% over five years, second only to Perth. However, instead of being deterred by these figures, many first-time buyers are finding smart pathways into the market, often with the strategic backing of their Gen X parents. These parents, part of the so-called “Sandwich Generation,” are balancing the financial demands of supporting both their children and ageing parents.
The Australian Seniors Series: Sandwich Generation Report 2025 further underscores this trend, revealing that nearly 70% of respondents anticipate increasing their financial contributions to their families over the next five years. More than 80% are already providing support to younger generations, highlighting the strength of intergenerational collaboration in the current property market.
This trend is corroborated by data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Lending Indicators for the June quarter, which shows a steady increase in the number of first home buyer owner-occupier loans in Queensland over the past two years.
As Brisbane’s property market continues to evolve, the role of intergenerational support in facilitating first home purchases is becoming increasingly evident. This collaboration between generations not only helps young Australians secure their first homes but also fosters a sense of financial stability and future prosperity.
