Fewer Australians occupy own houses: ABS

The proportion of owner-occupied dwellings has fallen during the past 15 years, new data shows.

One-third of homes were owned by people who lived in them in 2007-08, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

That represents a drop of about 10 per cent from 1994-95 levels.

During the same period, the amount owing on mortgages almost doubled to an average of $150,000, consistent with rising home values, on homes worth an average of $400,000 in 2007-08.

Sydney had the highest average house prices, around $550,000, followed by Perth ($520,000), then Canberra and Brisbane ($400,000).

Mortgage repayments averaged at $384 per week, about 18 per cent of gross household incomes.

Private renters paid an average of $267 each week, which was also about 18 per cent of their gross household incomes.

Canberra had the highest weekly rents at an average of $337, followed by Sydney ($327) and Darwin ($305).