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Living in Australia 2025
Get a copy of the report
Register to download the Living in Australia 2025 report
Based on the views of more than 5,000 Australians, this report shows how community values and lived experiences are shifting and what that means for planning, service delivery and community engagement.
In the full report we explore;
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Falling liveability – a marked drop in overall liveability ratings, with sharp declines in safety perceptions and housing affordability.
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The Core Four – safety, housing, health services and access to nature. What people value most and how lived experiences vary between cities, regions and age groups.
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Local context – why national trends play out differently across geographies and what this means for councils and service providers.
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Real-world use – how governments, councils and businesses are using community views to guide investment, advocacy and service planning.
Complete the registration form and we’ll email you a PDF copy of the full report.
Preview the big stories from this year's report
Australia is prosperous, stable, and growing - but behind the headline numbers are local realities that shape whether people feel they can live well.
This year’s Living in Australia report shows a sharp fall in overall liveability, as Australians grapple with rising housing stress, growing concerns about crime, and persistent inequities in health access. At the same time, our love of nature and the outdoors continues to underpin wellbeing and resilience.
Housing at a breaking point
Affordable, decent housing is now the single biggest barrier to quality of life. More than half of Australians (56%) rank it as critical, but they score their local experience just 4.5/10—the lowest of all liveability attributes. Renters and younger Australians are feeling this most acutely, with housing insecurity linked directly to poorer mental health, financial strain, and reduced participation in community life
Safety slipping, concerns rising
Feeling safe is the number one ingredient for a good life. In 2025, 65% of Australians said it’s their top priority. Yet local experiences of safety have dropped from 6.8/10 to 6.2/10 in just one year. Melbourne saw one of the steepest declines, with rising concern about crime and antisocial behaviour. Across the nation, people are calling for both stronger enforcement and deeper investment in addressing the social drivers of crime.
Where to focus next
The full 2025 Living in Australia report highlights the areas where Australians’ values and lived experiences are drifting apart. Understanding these gaps helps councils, governments and businesses see where strategies need to shift to improve liveability, both nationally and in local communities.
Community Views
Represent resident needs and priorities in decision making
Represent your community’s views in council planning and advocacy using the Living in Australia survey, data and online tool.
