Majority of Australians would prefer to purchase a property with existing renewables in place as Aussies look to future-proof their homes
20 August 2026
New research from Great Southern Bank has found that 85% of Australians would prefer to buy a home with existing renewable and energy efficiency technology already in place, as more households seek to manage their costs and future proof their homes.
The research further shows that more than 1 in 3 Australians (35%) are concerned about how climate-related risks like floods, bushfires and rising insurance costs, could affect the value of their home over the next decade.
The insights come from the latest ‘After’ phase of Great Southern Bank’s third annual No Place Like Home report series, which explores how Australians are adapting to the financial realities of homeownership amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Renewable upgrades are rising
Energy-efficient appliances (37%) and solar panels (35%) are the most common upgrades already installed in Australian homes, while 14% have battery storage systems.
Battery storage is the most popular renewable upgrade Australians plan to install over the next 5 years (30%), followed by energy-efficient appliances (29%) and solar panels (28%), highlighting the continued focus on improving energy efficiency and future-proofing homes.
Rolf Stromsoe, Chief Customer Officer at Great Southern Bank, said:
“Australians are increasingly thinking about the total cost of owning a home - not just buying one. Renewable features can help lower ongoing household costs today while also giving people greater confidence their home will remain attractive and resilient into the future. That's why we're seeing renewable features become part of what Australians consider a valuable home."
Australians are thinking more carefully about what it will cost to own and run a home over the long term. Renewable technology is becoming a bigger part of that conversation, with many recognising the savings that features like solar panels, battery storage and energy-efficient appliances could deliver over time.
Bigger deposits for younger Aussies and a longer road to retirement
Younger Australians are also entering the property market with larger deposits than previous generations, potentially delaying the purchase of their homes.
- Gen Z were most likely to have paid an 11% to 15% deposit.
- Millennials were most likely to have a 16 to 20% deposit.
- Baby Boomers were most likely to have put down a 5% to 10% deposit.
The long-term financial impact of homeownership is also shaping Australians' plans for the future. Around 4 in 5 Australians (80%) believe cost-of-living pressures will delay their retirement, with the most common expectation being a delay of 3 to 5 years (22%), followed by 5 to 10 years (21%).
"For many younger Australians, home ownership remains a goal worth making significant sacrifices for,” Mr Stromsoe said. “They're saving larger deposits, planning further ahead and making careful financial decisions, despite facing higher housing costs and ongoing cost-of-living. Their determination is encouraging, and something that our Bank is here to support.”
To learn more about these insights, please read the latest No Place Like Home report
About Great Southern Bank
For almost 80 years, we’ve been putting our customers first, and today we look after the banking needs of 428,000 Australians. We have changed our name from CUA to Great Southern Bank, but we remain customer-owned and are firmly focused on our purpose of helping all Australians to own their own home.
Media contact
Anisha Samanta
Keep Left (for Great Southern Bank)
M: 0431 527 489
E: asamanta@keepleft.com