Adelaide woman Brooke Robran exposes issue her generation faces

By Antoinette Milienos For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A young Aussie has sparked a fierce debate after calling out older generations and saying they have ruined young people's chances of buying their own home. 

Adelaide influencer Brooke Robran said young Aussies were struggling to move out of home due to soaring HECS debts and unattainable property prices. 

'How the f**k are people in their early 20s meant to move out of home now?' Ms Robran asked in a video posted to social media.

'Generations before us have really f***ed us over here.

'When people used to go to uni, it was free. Now the people that go to uni have $26,000 on average HECS debt.

'People like me aren't moving out of home until they're thirty now because they can't afford it. I swear you need four different jobs to make the amount you need to buy a house now.'

University was once free for students after laws were brought in under Australia's 21st Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. 

During his four-year term, Mr Whitlam famously abolished tuition fees in 1974 and introduced a living allowance for full-time students. 

Adelaide influencer Brooke Robran, 21, claimed older generations had ruined the chances for young Australians to move out of home early and to buy their own property

Adelaide influencer Brooke Robran, 21, claimed older generations had ruined the chances for young Australians to move out of home early and to buy their own property 

Mandated tuition payments returned in 1989 under Bob Hawke's Labor government, which also introduced the HECS program. 

Initially, all degrees had a uniform annual fee of $1,800. This changed in 1996 when the Howard coalition government introduced a three-tiered fee system. 

Fees increased from a flat rate of $2,454 to $3,300 for Band One degrees, such as education and humanities, and up to $5,500 for Band Three degrees, including law and accounting. 

Both sides of Australian politics have since agreed students should continue to pay the cost of higher education. 

Data from comparison website Finder shows the average HECS debt is $40,000 with 21 per cent of current or former students owing between $40,000 and $100,000. Just over one per cent owe more than $100,000.

Those carrying the debt are also increasingly anxious about the amount they owe, with 63 per cent slightly or extremely concerned about their ability to repay it, compared to 54 per cent last year.

However, 12 per cent don't believe they'll ever be able to fully repay the debt.

Ms Robran said one of the contributing factors was the exorbitant HECS debt students accumulate over the course of their university degree - something that was once free for older Aussies (stock image students graduating from the Australian National University in Canberra)

Ms Robran said one of the contributing factors was the exorbitant HECS debt students accumulate over the course of their university degree - something that was once free for older Aussies (stock image students graduating from the Australian National University in Canberra) 

Many Aussies agreed with Ms Robran and said they could not move out or buy a home due to their high university debt. 

'Twenty-one years old and still at uni. $42k HECS debt, no savings and trying to finish my degree,' one said.

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'My HECS debt is $80,000. I’m never going to be able to get a house.  I did one year of a tech degree and then I have a vet degree which took five years, so six years of uni total and unfortunately that's the cost,' a second added.

'I’m really trying to make it work too, but inflation is ruining everything at the moment. The government can;t see how much the younger communities are struggling to afford everyday expenses,' a third added.

A fourth said: 'I'm 30, saved $40k for a [home] deposit, need at least double that now. People are buying "fixer uppers" for $800k these days it's insane'.

Older generations on their struggles versus Gen Z and Millennials 

'They have got it harder in ways because there's more toys to play with. It's just a fact of life. In our days you didn't have bugger all. You didn't carry around a phone with you or have a big flashy bloody watch.'

'I don't know what it is - whether kids are being brainwashed into thinking they can't get into the property market. Well, work hard. I worked two jobs.'

'I find the young people they want everything now. They want the nice house, the big car, the big pool and the big holidays. 

'When we were growing up you used to say 'save up for curtains'. You used to sit on boxes - no furniture until you had the money to buy it.'

'I think it's hard - I wouldn't want to be a young person these days.’

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However, some argued older generations were not to blame for the predicament of young Australians and said the onus should be on the government. 

'Don’t blame the older people blame our government,' one person wrote. 

'That is not the older generation's fault. Do your research it's the government's fault,' a second person agreed. 

Others claimed young Aussies need to work harder if they wanted to buy a property in today's market.  

The debate between generations has escalated in recent years as property prices skyrocket - largely benefiting the older generation

The debate between generations has escalated in recent years as property prices skyrocket - largely benefiting the older generation

'I didn't go to uni. Started my own business at 18 and already own a couple of properties by 25 can't blame the generation before because you aren't making it happen for you,' one person commented. 

'I moved out of home and built my first house at 19, just need to work hard and focus on your goals and it will pay off,' another wrote. 

A third added: 'My partner and I both did trades (hairdresser and plumber) and we purchased our own home at 25! It is hard but possible.' 

Adelaide