A rising number of Australians are abandoning plans to purchase or invest in property, according to a recent survey, with more than one-third indicating they have given up on entering the housing market. The findings come amid government tax changes affecting the real estate sector.

The national survey conducted by Vibrant Insights polled 4,000 Australians ranging from teenagers to those aged over 60. It found that 35 percent of respondents described themselves as "quitters," meaning they either felt unable to afford a first home or investment property or had chosen not to pursue buying one.

This figure has steadily increased over the past few years. In 2024, 25 percent of those surveyed identified as quitters, rising to 30 percent in the previous year before reaching the current level. The pattern suggests growing frustration or concern about affordability and market conditions among potential buyers and investors.

While the survey highlights broad sentiment across age groups, it does not specify particular demographics most affected. Analysts attribute the trend partly to changes in government tax policies designed to cool the property market by limiting investment incentives. These adjustments, intended to ease housing pressures, appear to have contributed to some Australians reconsidering their property ambitions.

Though some see the developments as necessary to moderate rapid price growth and improve housing accessibility, the emerging reluctance to participate in the market signals challenges ahead for the real estate sector. The ongoing shift in attitudes underscores the complex balance between policy objectives, housing affordability, and individual financial capacity.