Shared equity programs in Australia: features, impacts and growth potential

AHURI research has highlighted the significant potential of shared equity schemes in enabling access to homeownership. However, while shared equity models have been widely implemented overseas, in Australia they remain under-utilised. This project will examine the objectives and characteristics of government-led shared equity models and evaluate the effectiveness of different models as pathways to mainstream homeownership. 

The research will address the following questions:

1. What are the goals and features of government-led shared equity programs within the context of wider housing strategies in Australia? How do Australian programs compare with international exemplars?

2. What are the impacts of different shared equity models for housing consumers?

• How far do different shared equity models enhance home purchaser prospects, and how do these impacts vary across socio-demographic groups and housing market contexts?
• What is the experience and post-home purchase trajectory of shared equity program participants? Does this experience vary across different models and participants?

3. What are the opportunities, financial gains, risks and limitations of shared equity programs faced by government, other funders and third parties?

4. What policy settings and safeguards are needed to realise the growth potential for shared equity models in Australia?

This project will uncover features that improve outcomes for both home purchasers and governments to support the design of sustainable, shared equity programs in Australia.

Lead Researcher: Professor Rachel Ong Viforj, Curtin University

Project Number:  81336