"There is also a real onward danger, Mr Pringle believes, of older Australians pulling back from the sort of social community activities that are vital for physical and mental health.

"If they are not able to leave their house, because doing so in any way except maybe going for a walk around your block is going to cost you some amount of money, it means that all they're doing is just trying to get by day-to-day," he said.

"That's a really horrible way for somebody to live. "

Young double income homebuyers I work with are already in this situation.