Just over a quarter of all Australian households rent-rather than buy-their housing. Some 20 per cent of households rent from the private market and 6 per cent rely on public housing.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has collected information on the profile of those who invest in property in Australia. This profile shows that property investment is a feasible option for many Australians-at least at some stage in their working life.

As people get older, they are more likely to acquire an investment property. The time when their children become independent is likely to be their peak earning years-when many look to build up their financial security, in preparation for retirement.

Not surprisingly the ABS profile shows that the peak age group for property investment is 45 to 54 years and that most are long term investors.

The median income of property investors is $52,000 a year. This means that half of them had income from all sources of more than $52,000 a year and half were below that figure.

The value of the median investment property was $125,000. Again, half of the properties were worth more than that figure and half were less than it.

The rent from the median investment property was $154 per week.

Some 70 per cent of investment properties were mortgaged and the median mortgage was $83,000.

Just over 60 per cent of investors select to invest in houses, 22 per cent invest in units and 12 per cent invest in semi-detached or terrace houses.

In Summary:

	26% of households rent their housing
		-	20% from private market, 6% in public housing
	as people age, more people invest in property
		-	peak age group is 45 - 54 years
		-	most invest for the long term
	median income of investors is $52,000
	median value of properties is $125,000
		-	median rent is $154 per week
	70% have property mortgaged
		-	median mortgage $83,000
	62% invest in houses, 22% in units
		-	12% semi-detached or terrace houses