Young adults are saving their pennies by living at the parental home for longer periods, according to new research by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
"On average, young people today leave home, marry, buy a house and have children at later ages than previous generations" said study author Dr Gary Marks.
"Furthermore, there are larger proportions not married and without children" he added.
The study shows that by age 30 almost all young people have left home and that only five per cent of 30 to 34 year olds are living with their parents.
The study also shows that parental occupation status is linked to whether a young person has moved out of home. It was found that young people whose parents' occupations were in the highest status quartile were more likely to be living at home.
"This is partly because they are more likely to be in full-time education", said Dr Marks.
The study found that a non-English speaking background was a factor influencing young people to move out. This was more so with women than men.
Interestingly, 70 per cent of Indigenous young women aged 15 to 30 were not living at home, compared to 59 per cent of non-Indigenous women.
The study also found that 80 per cent of those aged 15 to 30 whose parents had divorced or separated were not living at home, compared to about 50 per cent of those whose parents had not divorced or separated.
"A pattern found for both sexes was that young people who had attended a Catholic school were more likely to be living at home than those who had attended a government or independent school" said Dr Marks.
Further findings can be found in the study entitled "Transitions to adulthood: Leaving home and partnering" by Dr Gary Marks.
The study is part of the recent HILDA Statistical Report, a 142 page report spanning many areas of Australian social life. It can be found at www.melbourneinstitute.com/hilda.
