A 26-year-old Gen Z schoolteacher and her 23-year-old brother have purchased a $1.9 million two-bedroom apartment at The Collective in St Leonards, Sydney, sparking envy from those who assume parental support made it effortless.

Hard-Earned Deposit

Grace Roseby and her brother Pierce each contributed $50,000 to the deposit. Their parents matched this amount with $100,000, fulfilling a promise to double whatever the siblings saved.

Grace explains the judgment she faces: “People around me are quick to assume our parents just handed us everything. They don’t know how hard we worked for our share or the experiences that shaped our drive.”

To build her savings, Grace skipped gap years after school, entered university immediately, and juggled three jobs simultaneously. “I turned down social events and purchases like shoes to stay focused on the goal,” she states.

Mother’s Influential Background

Grace’s mother, Michele, who owns five properties, drew from her own challenging upbringing to support her children. Raised by a single mother after her grandfather’s estate distribution favored an uncle—who later expanded his wealth—Michele and her brother learned independence early.

“We walked to school alone at age five and returned to an empty home,” Michele recalls. Tragedy struck when her brother overdosed at 23, leaving her to care for their mother young. “I aimed for self-made success, avoiding reliance on others.”

Michele motivated her children to avoid renting, offering to match their deposit savings for a mortgage instead. She dismisses critics: “Jealous individuals aren’t in a good place. Those who applaud us are content with their lives. I admire success and strive for it myself.”

Rising Parental Assistance Trends

A 2025 survey of over 1,000 Australians shows 17% of first home buyers received parental deposit help, up from 11% in 2022. Mozo’s Bank of Mum and Dad Report 2025 reveals 75% of assisting parents expect no repayment.