Informal Housing in South East Queensland

In the 21st century, research on informal housing has answered the question of whether informality is solely a product of the Global South – this is not the case, appearing frequently throughout the Global North, albeit in differing typologies. Despite this, there are many questions still unanswered, especially within a regional context and within Australia. My thesis therefore aimed to explore the informal housing market in the eight urban Local Government Areas (LGAs) of South East Queensland (SEQ), being the first Australian study to investigate informality outside of inner-city Sydney. Focus areas of research included the spatial distribution and typologies of informal housing in SEQ, the demographics of those relying on the informal market, what risks and benefits this form of housing offers, and implications for future policy.

Using 343 listings collected from online retailer Gumtree.com, where individuals can upload housing advertisements without formal processes, as a proxy for informality provided insight into the above focus areas. Key findings indicated that the typologies, demographics, and spatial distribution of informality in SEQ differ from literature both within and outside Australia, as well as revealing new insights into the spatial relationship between the price of the informal and formal market. Despite these differences, qualitative analysis indicated that the risks inferred from the SEQ listings align with the literature, including risks to physical and mental wellbeing, as well as suggesting additional at-risk demographics. The thesis concluded with related recommendations for improving the lives and protections of those who rely on informality due to the lack of affordable housing in the formal market.