Best Tiny Homes in Australia (Buyers Guide)

They say good things come in small packages, and this definitely applies to tiny homes.

If you’re thinking about a tree-change to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, or simply want to downsize your living quarters, a tiny home may just be what you’re looking for.

The tiny home trend has taken off in Australia, and these small dwellings offer people a chance to live a more sustainable lifestyle that eases the economic pressures of traditional homeownership.

There is no shortage of innovative, functional, and out-of-the-box tiny homes for sale, whether you’re looking for an off-grid option, something that’s easy to transport from one location to the next, or a stylish home fully equipped with all the amenities you’d expect in a full-size house, there’s a tiny home for every budget and every brief.

Are you ready to join the tiny home movement? We can keep you up-to-date with the best tips, offers, and information to turn your tiny home dream into a reality.

Tiny Homes Australia  –  Your guide to downsizing

Love the idea of living in a tiny home? Before you start selling all of your belongings and giving notice to your landlord, you should know what’s involved in buying mini homes. 

Here’s everything you need to know about tiny houses Australia.

What is a tiny home?

There are two main categories that distinguish tiny homes; a fixed tiny home that is built on a foundation, which has the functionality of a permanent house and is fixed to the land, or a tiny house on wheels are built on trailers with wheels and has the ability to be transported from one location to the next with ease. 

Both types of tiny homes have vastly different council regulations depending on your state and local council regulations. However, tiny homes on wheels generally do not require a council development application (DA) as they are on wheels and are actually considered to be a vehicle, much the same as a caravan.

For the purpose of this guide, we will be reviewing tiny homes on wheels.

What size are tiny houses in Australia?

A tiny home is defined as a dwelling with a floor area of 37sq m or less, this doesn’t include second storeys or loft areas. 

The maximum dimensions of a tiny home in Australia is 12.5 metres in length, 4.3 metres high and 2.5 metres wide, these are the legal dimensions for a road vehicle in Australia, this includes tiny homes in Victoria [1].

But the main thing that will dictate the overall size of your new tiny home will be the weight rating on the trailer. For example, if you have a trailer with a weight rating of 4,500kg, you’ll not only need to think about the overall weight of the tiny house and its contents but also the weight of the trailer as it contributes towards that 4,500kg.

Tiny house prices in Australia

The cost of a tiny house will vary depending on several factors, including the business you purchase from, the overall size, and any additional features you choose to add on.

Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3000 to $6000 per square metre for a tiny home. 
According to ABS Buildings Approvals data, the average dwelling is 229.8sqm in size, and costs $320,238 for the build component, however, this does not include the cost of land, legal fees, and council applications [2].

Design features & functionality of a tiny home

When you start planning and designing your dream tiny abode, there are several design features that absolutely should be considered to make the most of the experience.

Windows: Installing large windows in the right position will give the impression of a larger space.

Multifunctional spaces: Retractable beds or tables make a great way of creating a dual-purpose space.

Storage: Probably the most important consideration when down-sizing is how you’ll fit your earthly possessions in your space. Smart storage designs are a must for any tiny home, and many manufacturer’s offer custom designs so you can further maximise your space.

What are the environmental benefits of a tiny home?

Tiny homes use substantially less energy to both build and run, meaning the building process reduces your carbon footprint and the ongoing utility costs are reduced.

The CSIRO defines embodied energy as the calculation embodied energy of a building is a calculation of total energy used in the building production process and all upstream acquisitions of natural resources. This includes things such as mining, logging, manufacturing, and transportation [3].

Given tiny homes are, well, tiny, they use far less embodied energy in the manufacturing and construction process. Many manufacturers also offer eco-friendly and sustainable material options which further reduce the overall impact on the environment.

Additionally, tiny homes use less operational energy to heat, cool or power because they are so small in size. Plus many tiny homes have options to add solar panels to allow for off-grid living, further reducing operational energy expenditure.

Can I use a home loan to buy a tiny house in Australia?

It may be difficult to secure a conventional home loan to finance a tiny house. As many tiny homes are built on trailers and considered transportable, they won’t qualify for a home loan from the bank. 

That said, there are some alternative ways you could potentially finance your tiny house, including:

• A caravan or recreational vehicle (RV) loan.
• A personal loan.
• Specialist finance – many tiny house companies have partnered with finance providers to facilitate specialist loans for customers [4].

The best tiny houses for sale in Australia

So, you’re ready to buy a tiny house in Australia?

These tiny house designs epitomise style, functionality, and sustainability and offer consumers a simple and easy way to begin the downsizing journey.

Häuslein is German for a small cabin or cottage and is considered to be a small dwelling with a big heart.

Häuslein Tiny House Co is an innovative tiny home manufacturer that focuses on producing premium, eco-friendly, long-lasting tiny homes.

They offer four different models, whether you’re a single person looking for a compact model or a family needing a bit more space there’s something for everyone.

There are four models to choose from starting at 18SQM ranging all the way up to 32SQM, with prices starting out at $89,100 and going up to $124,300 for the largest model.

Each home is well-appointed with luxurious mod cons, the clever functional designs ensure maximum space utilisation and the high-quality craftsmanship means this tiny home will last for years to come.

All of the tiny homes have full off-grid capabilities so you can reduce your carbon footprint.

Designer Eco Tiny Homes is Australia’s largest designer and custom builder of tiny homes, in fact, they’ve been so successful in Australia they have now expanded to the UK and USA.

These incredible structures offer homeowners the versatility of a sustainable and affordable housing option. 

There are seven different models available, plus each build can be customised to specific requirements while ensuring it is eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and affordable. Every tiny house has the ability to be off-grid utilising solar panels,

Prices start out at $69,900 for the independent series 4800 all the way through to $127,500 for the series 9600NLC.

They also sell individual trailers and shells, you can purchase this and undertake some DIY and build the tiny home yourself. 

Finally, this is a business with a social conscience. They’ve built 3 tiny homes for the homeless in partnership with the Salvation Army to help combat the growing homelessness crisis in Australia.

Aussie Tiny Houses are passionate about living small and providing alternatives to the traditional housing market.

They offer two styles of tiny homes; loft bedroom models and ground floor bedroom models and Tiny prices start at around $79,900 for a Turn-Key complete Home.

However, an affordable price tag doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or comfort. They employ a team of industry experts who specialise in creating beautiful, practical, and affordable living spaces. They have in-house designers and architects to bring your dream to life.

They offer a range of off-grid solutions such as solar power systems, rainwater collection, composting toilets, and greywater systems.

Alphaline Tiny Homes is a subsidiary of Alphaline Homes which is a family-owned custom home building business established in 1990.

Due to their extensive design and building experience, it was a natural next step to move into the booming tiny home market. They offer a range of stunning turnkey tiny homes on trailers, which are completely customisable.

As an estimate, they can design, construct and deliver your new tiny home, we can design starting from $49,900. Or if you’re keen to DIY, they can deliver your tiny home as a flat pack starting from $26,900. Of course, this option does require self-assembly.

As with all other tiny home manufacturers, they offer a range of luxury upgrades and off-grid living options.