Shared housing in Queensland is undergoing a dramatic shift. Once seen as the domain of students and young professionals, share houses have increasingly become a lifeline for older Australians facing rising living costs.
According to Flatmates’ 2025 National Share Accommodation Survey, which gathered insights from more than 4,500 respondents, three in five Queenslanders now say they’ve been forced into shared living because of financial pressures. Notably, residents aged 55–64 are the fastest-growing group entering share homes—highlighting the deepening impact of economic strain on seniors and retirees.
Flatmates reports a 60% surge in demand for share house accommodation since January 2021, with many older individuals turning to shared living not out of preference, but necessity. Nearly 49% of Queensland respondents said they simply “could not afford” the costs of owning their own property. Meanwhile, more than 55% of people listing spare rooms on the platform are doing so to offset expenses such as utilities, rates, and mortgage repayments.
This shift challenges the long-held belief that shared housing is primarily for students—especially as 79% of current share house residents are not studying at all, a significant increase from the previous year.
Beyond affordability, shared accommodation has become a practical way to combat social isolation. Nearly one in two Queenslanders say their share house now feels like home, and many report that forming genuine friendships with housemates has become an unexpected benefit.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, shared housing is quickly emerging as a practical, financially sound solution for Australians across all age groups—especially seniors looking to maintain stability without sacrificing quality of life.
At Positive Income Properties, we champion the growth of Coliving across Australia. By partnering with leading property managers, we ensure tenants receive high-quality living experiences while investors benefit from professional, reliable rental management.
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