Monash University researchers spent three years investigating future Australian home life, finding that 49 participants across the country want more adaptable, multipurpose rooms to support flexible work arrangements and changing energy needs amid rising living costs.
Monash University Study Outlines Shifting Housing Demands
Researchers tracked 49 participants from diverse backgrounds across Australia over a three-year period. The Foresights for Future Australian Home Life report examined how residents plan to live in their homes and what those choices mean for energy consumption. Lead researcher Professor Sarah Pink noted that participants combined office zones with other domestic spaces to manage work and childcare simultaneously.
University of Sydney associate professor of building science Jungsoo Kim stated that new homes could feature adaptable rooms or zones that offer visual and acoustic separation. These spaces require good daylight, ventilation, thermal comfort, and access to power. Associate Professor Kim added that smaller homes benefit from movable screens, curtains, compact furniture, good storage, and task lighting instead of dedicated offices.
Half of Surveyed Households Juggle Remote Work
Half of the households surveyed included at least one member working from home at least once a week. Participants cited avoiding heavy traffic and cancelled trains as major benefits. One participant with a disability noted that public transport was often unviable, making remote work essential.
Another participant highlighted the flexibility of handling domestic tasks during the workday. Professor Pink observed that households often imagine their next home will feature extra space for a dedicated working-from-home room. However, Associate Professor Kim noted that this does not require building larger houses if current spaces are used more efficiently.
High Costs Limit Electric Vehicle and Solar Adoption
An electric vehicle is sold every 100 seconds in Australia, with EVs projected to make up nearly a quarter of new car sales this year, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. Despite this growth, one-quarter of survey participants felt they could not afford EV purchase, maintenance, and charger installation costs.
Only 4 per cent of earners making less than $40,000 annually reported using or planning to own an EV. That figure rose to 22 per cent for individuals earning more than $241,000. About one-third of EV owners or prospective buyers wanted affordable charging options like solar power or off-peak electricity tariffs.
Australia counts rooftop solar installations on one in three homes, with roughly 300,000 new systems installed annually. The survey found that solar adoption also increased with income, leaving lower-income households behind. Professor Pink pointed out that the cost-of-living crisis shapes the energy transition, with one participant even imagining living in a car rather than affording an electric vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Future Housing Trends
How many people participated in the Monash University study?
The Foresights for Future Australian Home Life report included 49 participants from a range of backgrounds across Australia.
How many new electric vehicles are sold in Australia?
An electric vehicle is sold every 100 seconds in Australia, according to data from the Electric Vehicle Council.
What percentage of lower-income earners plan to buy an electric vehicle?
Only 4 per cent of respondents earning less than $40,000 a year reported currently using or intending to own an EV.
How common is rooftop solar in Australia?
One in three homes in Australia has rooftop solar, with approximately 300,000 systems installed annually.
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