Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Jonathan Barrett Senior business reporter

‘Setting people up to fail’: Australians ask banks for mortgage help, only to plunge into worse debt

Real estate listings Australia
Australians are falling behind on their mortgages in ever-increasing numbers, as a prolonged period of elevated interest rates and high living costs erodes saving buffers. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

Patricia makes sure her cats are properly fed, but rarely spends much money on herself.

“I’m scrimping as much as I can, and I’ve sold a few household items to try to meet my mortgage repayments,” the 68-year-old says.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.