3240.1 - Housing Choices, NSW, Oct 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 01/04/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

April 1, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
37/2005

One in four NSW households moved in last three years: ABS

One in four New South Wales (NSW) households have moved in the last three years, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The main reasons that households moved were to live in a better area (21% of moving households) or because their previous home was unsuitable (19%).

One-parent families and people living alone were the most mobile households in NSW, with 32% and 31% respectively having moved in the last three years, compared with 25% of couples with children.

One-parent families living in Sydney were less likely to move than those living in the rest of NSW (27% and 38% respectively).

Households living in flats or apartments were more likely to move than those living in separate houses (38% and 20% respectively).

Mobility was highest for households in rented accommodation with 44% having moved in the last three years, followed by households with a mortgage (23%). Home owners without a mortgage were the least likely to have moved (9%).

About one in nine households indicated they were likely to move in the next 12 months. The main reasons for the likely moves were to build or buy a new dwelling, or to live in a better area.

Approximately two-thirds of NSW households owned their home (either with or without a mortgage). Almost one in three (30%) households in Sydney did not have a mortgage, lower than the rest of NSW (40%).

Statewide, 71% of occupied private dwellings were separate houses, while 19% were flats or apartments.

The survey was conducted in October last year and provides some insights into the motivations and intentions of NSW households when choosing a home.

Further information can be found in Housing Choices, NSW (cat. no. 3240.1).