iscover 
The issue has gained prominence following the rollout of the federal government’s Support at Home program, which is designed to help older Australians remain independent for longer through access to care services, assistive technology, and home modifications.
While the policy shift reflects a strong preference among retirees to stay in their homes, industry participants said many households are underestimating the financial demands that can come with home-based retirement.
According to equity release provider Homesafe Wealth Release, inquiries from older home owners seeking to access housing wealth to fund living and property expenses have increased by 20 per cent.
The rise comes amid growing cost-of-living pressures and concerns around retirement adequacy. Data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates a comfortable retirement currently requires annual spending of $54,840 for a single home owner and $77,375 for a couple aged between 65 and 84.
Homesafe CEO Dianne Shepherd said many retirees were discovering that while they owned valuable property assets, accessing funds to cover ongoing expenses could be difficult.
“Most older Australians want to stay in the homes and communities they know for as long as possible,” Shepherd said.
“But remaining safely and comfortably at home is not cost free.”
Housing wealth enters the retirement conversation
The growing focus on ageing in place comes as housing equity plays an increasingly prominent role in retirement planning discussions.
Earlier figures from reverse mortgage brokerage Seniors First showed demand for loans through the Commonwealth’s Home Equity Access Scheme increased by 21 per cent over the year to May, while online searches relating to reverse mortgages rose by 62 per cent over six months.
Shepherd said previously that retirement planning often overlooked the role of housing wealth despite the family home representing a household’s largest asset.
“Retirement planning in this country has become narrowly focused on what sits in a super fund or an investment account,” Shepherd said.
“But retirement capital is the entire balance sheet a household has built over a lifetime and for most Australians, the largest line on that balance sheet is the family home.”
Broader options under consideration
While downsizing remains a common strategy for retirees seeking to unlock capital, with various government incentives to do so, industry participants said more home owners are exploring alternatives that allow them to remain in their homes.
These include reverse mortgages, the government’s Home Equity Access Scheme, and newer equity release models.
However, advisers continue to say that product complexity and limited consumer understanding remain barriers to broader adoption.
Research previously conducted by Seniors First identified more than 150 differences across Australia’s major reverse mortgage providers, highlighting the importance of advice and education when considering equity release options.
Homesafe Wealth Release’s own product differs from other similar products on the market by providing an equity release solution without interest changes, ongoing repayments, or a reverse mortgage.
Instead, home owners receive an upfront cash payment in exchange for Homesafe receiving an agreed capped share of the property’s future sale proceeds.
“Debt-free equity release provides a way for some home owners to unlock housing wealth without the burden of ongoing loan repayments or compounding interest,” Shepherd said.
“It is not the right solution for everyone, but it can provide an important option for home owners who want to stay in the home they love while accessing the wealth they have spent decades building.”
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