Affordable homes disappearing under Labor
Breaking into Adelaide’s housing market has become a near-impossible task for young buyers, with analysis by the State Liberals finding only 8.8 per cent of homes advertised online are considered ‘affordable’.
On ABC radio the day before the state election, the Premier said for a person on an average wage, an affordable home would be valued at “under $600,000” and that Labor’s policies are aimed at “unlocking” more of them. (audio here)
A search of the Greater Adelaide region on realestate.com.au last week found 4,480 houses, apartments and units were on the market, but only 396 of those were valued at under $600,000.
Further to this, the state government’s own affordable housing website, HomeSeeker SA, shows only two houses for sale under its own affordable housing figure.
State Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn said it’s clear more must be done to make home ownership achievable for all hard-working South Australians.
“People are working their guts out to save a deposit, but they just can’t keep pace with the state’s skyrocketing house prices,” Mrs Hurn said.
“For too many South Australians, the dream of owning a home is slipping further out of reach.”
Malvern resident Claire Ahrens, 27, said her hopes of buying her first home is fading fast as affordable listings dry up.
“I have a budget of up to $650,000, and there’s barely anything being advertised in that bracket,” Ms Ahrens said.
“Living with my parents has helped me save for a deposit, but it feels like prices keep rising faster than I can keep up.”
Data released by Domain in their 2026 First Home Buyer Report has found the cost of an entry-level house in Adelaide is now $720,000, which is an increase of 159 per cent over five years.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Teague said the figures showed the housing affordability crisis was worsening under the Malinauskas Government.
“South Australians are being locked out of the housing market at an alarming rate,” Mr Teague said.
“When even so-called entry-level homes are costing more than $700,000, it’s no wonder young people and families are losing hope of ever owning a home.
“The Premier promised to unlock affordable housing, but the reality is there are simply not enough homes available in the price range ordinary South Australians can afford.
Source: Domain, First Home Buyer Report 2026
Mr Teague said the crisis is being fuelled by the Government’s inability to meet targets under the National Housing Accord.
“Labor boasted about building 13,514 homes in 2025, but that is well short of the housing accord target of 17,000,” he said.
“The State Liberals have long been calling for policies that get more construction workers on the tools.
“They include lifting the payroll tax threshold from $1.5 million to $2.1 million and scrapping payroll tax entirely for apprentices and trainees.”
Breaking into Adelaide’s housing market has become a near-impossible task for young buyers, with analysis by the State Liberals finding only 8.8 per cent of homes advertised online are considered ‘affordable’.
On ABC radio the day before the state election, the Premier said for a person on an average wage, an affordable home would be valued at “under $600,000” and that Labor’s policies are aimed at “unlocking” more of them. (audio here)
A search of the Greater Adelaide region on realestate.com.au last week found 4,480 houses, apartments and units were on the market, but only 396 of those were valued at under $600,000.
Further to this, the state government’s own affordable housing website, HomeSeeker SA, shows only two houses for sale under its own affordable housing figure.
State Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn said it’s clear more must be done to make home ownership achievable for all hard-working South Australians.
“People are working their guts out to save a deposit, but they just can’t keep pace with the state’s skyrocketing house prices,” Mrs Hurn said.
“For too many South Australians, the dream of owning a home is slipping further out of reach.”
Malvern resident Claire Ahrens, 27, said her hopes of buying her first home is fading fast as affordable listings dry up.
“I have a budget of up to $650,000, and there’s barely anything being advertised in that bracket,” Ms Ahrens said.
“Living with my parents has helped me save for a deposit, but it feels like prices keep rising faster than I can keep up.”
Data released by Domain in their 2026 First Home Buyer Report has found the cost of an entry-level house in Adelaide is now $720,000, which is an increase of 159 per cent over five years.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Teague said the figures showed the housing affordability crisis was worsening under the Malinauskas Government.
“South Australians are being locked out of the housing market at an alarming rate,” Mr Teague said.
“When even so-called entry-level homes are costing more than $700,000, it’s no wonder young people and families are losing hope of ever owning a home.
“The Premier promised to unlock affordable housing, but the reality is there are simply not enough homes available in the price range ordinary South Australians can afford.
Source: Domain, First Home Buyer Report 2026
Mr Teague said the crisis is being fuelled by the Government’s inability to meet targets under the National Housing Accord.
“Labor boasted about building 13,514 homes in 2025, but that is well short of the housing accord target of 17,000,” he said.
“The State Liberals have long been calling for policies that get more construction workers on the tools.
“They include lifting the payroll tax threshold from $1.5 million to $2.1 million and scrapping payroll tax entirely for apprentices and trainees.”
People are working their guts out to save a deposit, but they just can’t keep pace with the state’s skyrocketing house prices
