Three in ten Australian homeowners – equivalent to 1.8 million people – received financial help from family to buy their property, according to Finder’s 2026 Home Loan Report.
Deposit contributions were the most common form of assistance, with 11 per cent of Australians saying family helped them with the upfront cost.
Almost one in ten (8 per cent) had their family pay for the home outright, while 6 per cent had a family member go guarantor on their loan. A further 5 per cent had their entire deposit covered by relatives, 5 per cent received help with ongoing mortgage repayments, and 3 per cent were given a lump sum above the deposit amount.
Richard Whitten, home loans expert at Finder and author of the report, said family wealth is playing a growing role in determining who can buy property, and when.
“The Bank of Mum and Dad has become a major player in Australia’s housing market,” he said.
“For buyers with family backing, that support can cut years off the journey to homeownership and put them well ahead financially from the start.
“But for those without that extra level of support, saving a deposit on top of rent and day-to-day costs can be one of the toughest hurdles to clear.”
Richard said family assistance isn’t the only pathway to homeownership, and buyers should understand the alternatives available.
“Government support schemes, low-deposit loans and comparing home loan rates can all help reduce the upfront cost of buying a property,” he said.
He added that both parties should be clear about the nature of any assistance before money changes hands.
“Is it a gift, a loan, or an ownership arrangement? Having those conversations upfront can help avoid financial and family disputes down the track.”
Seventy per cent of Australians surveyed said they bought their home without any family assistance, according to the report.