8791.5 - Housing Motivations and Intentions, Western Australia, Oct 1998  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/04/1999  Ceased
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MEDIA RELEASE

April 21, 1999
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
48/99
One in five WA households plans to move within three years

Approximately one fifth of Western Australian households intend to move from their current dwelling within the next three years, according to a publication released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The report provides an insight into the motivations and intentions of Western Australians when choosing a home.

Among the key findings are:
  • In Western Australia, 79.8 per cent of all households live in a separate house.
  • Seven out of ten households either own outright, or are currently purchasing their own homes. Households living in rental accommodation accounted for 27.9 per cent of households.
  • Three out of ten WA households have lived in their current dwelling for ten years or more.

The publication gives an overview of householders' preferences relating to their choice of current and future dwellings. Specifically, the report covers housing characteristics, nature of occupancy, location and type of dwelling, reasons for choice of dwelling and reasons for choice of location. Selected energy efficiency features and use of local facilities, such as shops, theatres and public transport, are also covered.

Other key findings are that:
  • The most common reasons for choosing a dwelling were 'appearance and layout', 'separate house' and 'better quality'.
  • Almost half (44.7 per cent) of WA households had air conditioning installed in their homes. The most common type installed is 'evaporative ducted' systems.
  • 'Natural gas' was the most common source of heating in the Perth Statistical Division, compared with Rest of State areas where 'firewood' was the most common.
  • Six out of ten households had roof or ceiling insulation installed in their dwelling with the most common type installed being 'fibreglass batts'.

Details are in Housing Motivations and Intentions, Western Australia (cat. no. 8791.5) available in all ABS Bookshops.