Australian Centre for Housing Research
The Australian Centre for Housing Research (ACHR) brings together researchers, evidence and partnerships to address housing - one of Australia’s defining social, economic and public policy challenges. We produce rigorous, independent research and work with partners to strengthen policy, practice and public understanding.
About us
Housing shapes health, security, opportunity, productivity and the strength of communities. It sits at the centre of major questions about inequality, sustainability, ageing, infrastructure and the future of our cities and regions. Addressing these questions requires expertise that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Since its establishment in 2021, ACHR has developed nationally significant housing datasets, methods and research infrastructure; secured major competitive research funding; built enduring partnerships with governments, industry and communities; and contributed evidence to policy, practice and public debate. Together, these capabilities make ACHR a national housing evidence platform and enable ambitious research that no single researcher or discipline could undertake alone.
Based at Adelaide University, ACHR provides an intellectual home for housing researchers and a trusted point of connection to the University’s housing expertise. We invest in postgraduate, early- and mid-career researchers, creating opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and research leadership across career stages.
Recent research
Our research projects span diverse areas across housing, urban and spatial research. From creating accessible data infrastructures of housing conditions, to generating evidence on the links between housing and health, our staff are on the cutting edge of field-leading research delivering real-world impacts. Read about some of our recent publications below:
NIAA Indigenous Housing Data Review
Australian Housing Conditions Dataset
The Great Australian Dream
The project provides clear recommendations to improve data collection, access and linkage, ensuring future datasets capture housing conditions, experiences, aspirations and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This project is supported by funding from the NIAA under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Housing quality and conditions are highly variable, with issues such as cold, mould, and damp contributing to poor health outcomes for many Australians. The 2024 Survey collected data from another 20,049 households across all states and territories, making it the biggest national survey collecting information about the quality and conditions of Australian homes.
As we navigate the 21st century as a post-homeownership nation, this research will use international, quantitative, and qualitative analyses to deliver new insights and produce a roadmap that will support Australia in providing current and future generations with good housing outcomes – with or without home ownership.
Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia
The Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) is the leading Australian indicator of remoteness and has become the standard for classifying the accessibility and remoteness of locations across the country. ARIA+ is available to purchase through the ACHR by state/territory, or for the whole of Australia.
Cold in Australian Homes
Living in a cold home can increase risk of high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and mental health issues, especially for occupants who are aged or already affected by medical conditions. Measuring winter indoor temperatures in 505 homes, this project challenges our understanding of the prevalence of cold housing in Australia context and has important implications for housing policy.
Australian Children's Housing Dataset
A growing evidence base links housing with health and well-being outcomes, but existing work is dominated by evidence on adults. This survey collected evidence on the housing situations and experiences of school-aged children in South Australia, adding to the evidence base and contributing to better outcomes for children, families, and policy makers.
