She said added government incentives to help young people save for a house deposit are a step in the right the direction.

“It’s about time it happened,” Ms Van Laarhoven said.

“I think it’s an excellent idea.”

It follows new Federal Government measures for entry-level, first-home buyers to save funds at a discounted tax rate by making more superannuation contributions. These additional savings, and interest earnings, would then be able to be withdrawn to be used as a home deposit.

Ms Van Laarhoven’s son Josh, 27, and his young family based in Cessnock, are saving for their first home.

He already contributes extra funds toward his superannuation to “build it up”. But like most his age, he is also balancing everyday living expenses and high rent payments.

“Rent prices are that high, it’s hard to get ahead,” she said.

To avoid the temptation of withdrawing his first-home funds early, he also deposits extra into mum’s bank account.

“They need to put the money where they can’t touch it,” she said.

The local mum would also like to see more tax concessions for young people saving for their first-home.

Ken Howes, from Howes Accounting Services, said the tax concessions to super will make a big difference for home ownership among young people.

“In country areas with lower house prices, this will make the difference in finding that 20 per cent deposit for first home buyers,” Mr Howes wrote in a letter to the editor.

In the meantime, Josh and family, who have another year remaining on their existing lease agreement, will be busily saving to buy their first home.