Imagination, science, and a passion for trends continue to transform the way Aussies live in their homes.

From the first rotating clothesline to residential solar panels—and increasingly sophisticated barbecues—Australian homes have consistently benefited from ongoing advancements.

Throughout Australian history, innovative ideas have led to home additions that have revolutionised family life, significantly improved our standard of living, and provided more free time to enjoy life and time spent together.

With over 100 years of experience in building Australian homes, Frasers Property Australia has witnessed the significant evolution in home design, driven by continuous innovation.

From the pioneering rotating clothesline to cutting-edge residential solar panels—and increasingly sophisticated barbecues—Australian homeowners have continuously benefited from relentless advancements.

Here are our seven top tech innovations that have revolutionised our Aussie homes:

1. The Hills Hoist

100 years ago, Aussies spent much of their time on tedious household chores.

However, the introduction of the iconic Hills Hoist rotary clothesline in the mid-1940s, combined with the popularisation of electric washing machines in the 1950s, revolutionised daily household chores.

The iconic Australian Hills Hoist was a game changer for households. Picture: Getty

---

These innovations drastically reduced the time and effort required for laundry, transforming daily labour and significantly improving the quality of life for many Australian families.

“Appliances and automation freed up time for home carers to enter the workforce,” says Frasers Property Australia development director Theo Della Bosca.

Hills Hoists became an essential Aussie backyard accessory for decades (and unofficial swing for kids), and Aussie laundries have evolved from basic outdoor utilitarian spaces to well-designed niches that not only wash our clothes but also care for them quickly and efficiently.

2. The humble fridge

From the first electric fridges introduced in Australia in the 1930s, Aussies have eagerly embraced the convenience of technology. Over the decades, continuous innovation has led to an ever-expanding range of kitchen products, from automatic dishwashers to air fryers, significantly enhancing everyday life.

Our passion for cooking technology has not only transformed the way we prepare food but also reshaped our kitchens. These spaces have evolved from simple cooking areas, small and largely hidden away, into beautiful multifunctional spaces that serve as the heart of the home and its control room.

Kitchens have become the heart of Australian homes in the past century. Picture: Getty

---

Modern kitchens are now being designed with more storage solutions, flexible layouts, and integrated spaces to accommodate both creating and enjoying food. Kitchen designs that emphasise open-plan layouts, kitchen islands, and social seating areas are seen as much more functional and attractive.

According to Build.com.au data buyers are more willing to spend significantly more to get an updated kitchen, with the average renovation return on investment sitting at between 54-81%, meaning sellers were able to recoup a large portion of their budget.

3. From dual flush to dual loos

Nowadays, an ensuite is a top priority for many homebuyers, but, incredibly, back in 1960 less than half of Australian homes even had an indoor toilet.

For a long time, an outhouse in the backyard was the Australian standard, serviced by the nightman who collected waste. Understandably, some even found the idea of indoor plumbing unseemly.

Thankfully for us, toilet technology has come a long way. Picture: Frasers Property Australia

---

From the 1960s we saw a significant push for expanding access to sewerage systems in cities, paving the way for modern plumbing technology like indoor toilets. By the 1980s, Australia pioneered the first dual flush toilet, a revolutionary invention that conserved water and set new standards in household efficiency.

By the 1990s, the inclusion of multiple bathrooms, particularly ensuite bathrooms, became more popular.

Today, many luxurious Aussie homes boast more bathrooms than bedrooms, some featuring powder rooms and extra bathrooms for each living space. This shift reflects an ongoing trend towards greater convenience, privacy, and comfort in modern home designs.

4. The iconic Aussie backyard

In the 1950s, sheds all over Australia started filling up with the newly-invented rotary lawnmowers. What used to be a tiresome and time-consuming task suddenly turned into a (hopefully not too early) weekend morning routine.

This loud, smoky invention kicked off a national obsession not just with having perfect lawns but also with improving our outdoor spaces overall, making them feel like natural extensions of our indoor living areas.

Aussies expect a lot more from their outdoor spaces than they did a century ago.

---

Since then, Aussies have gotten just as good at collecting outdoor tools as they are at stocking their kitchens with gadgets, with whipper-snippers, leaf blowers, and pressure washers now common. Soon enough, you might even find yourself grilling on a new solar-powered BBQ!

Despite the average block size shrinking from 1,000sqm in the early 1900s to about 450sqm today, Australians remain as passionate as ever about their outdoor areas, arguably creating some of the most creative and relaxing outdoor spaces globally.

5. Smart home technology

Starting from the 1970s with the creation of X10, Australian homes have enjoyed advances in home automation technology.

“In the 1970s, the seeds of smart home technology were sown with the X10, a protocol for remote control of electrical devices,” explains Frasers Property Australia General Manager – IT and Digital, Sumeer Shoree.

Since the 1990s and 2000s, with the rise of internet-enabled smart technology, home automation has gained increasing popularity among Australians.

Della Bosca notes that innovations in housing development and design have incorporated silicon chip technology into home gadgets such as security systems, lighting, and audio, revolutionising modern living.

Home automation now means smart thermostats can learn your temperature preferences, automated lighting systems can adjust based on natural light and occupancy, smart locks can be controlled remotely, voice-activated assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home answer your questions, and advanced security systems keep you secure.

Smart fridges track grocery inventory and suggest recipes, robotic vacuums automate cleaning, and irrigation systems adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions.

Just about everything in Australian homes is smarter than it used to be.

---

When it comes to what the future of home automation looks like the sky's the limit, especially with the onset of AI, but it's clear our living spaces will only become more efficient, secure, and personalised.

6. Staying comfortable in the Aussie climate

To combat our unique climate, Aussies adopted electric fans in the 1930s and air conditioners in the 1960s. Classic inventions like the Esky and stubby holder also became staples in our homes.

As winter chills also became a concern, the focus shifted to energy efficient home heating and cooling, leading to the creation of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) in 1993.

“NatHERS ratings for homes influence designs and finishes,” says Della Bosca, “resulting in reduced energy bills and improved thermal comfort.”

NatHERS requires new homes to meet certain energy standards, differing state-to-state, promoting technologies like solar panels, double-glazed windows, and advanced insulation. These measures don't just make the home more comfortable, it's also a matter of making homes more affordable to live in, especially amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Homes are not just more comfortable, they're more energy efficient and optimise health.

---

According to PropTrack data, energy-efficient homes are more desirable than ever. Rising utility costs have driven higher demand for properties that promise cheaper bills for buyers.

But it's not just our wallets that benefit—modern heating and cooling systems also offer significant health advantages. These systems improve air quality and reduce asthma and dust allergy triggers.

They also lower the risk of gas leaks and electrical faults, providing a healthier and safer living environment.

7. Entertainment evolution

The typical Australian living room has changed significantly over the past century and embraced advances in our entertainment tech.

In the 1950s, black-and-white TVs became household staples, revolutionising entertainment. By 1975, Australians were enjoying color television, often while lounging on the hippest furniture of the time—a beanbag.

The 1980s saw personal computers entering homes, transforming leisure, work, and education. “Knowledge and entertainment were just a click away,” says Shoree.

Home phones evolved into mobile phones and then into smartphones, putting life literally at our fingertips and changing how Australians interact with the world.

With appliances and gadgets doing most of the labour, Aussies have more time for entertainment.

---

Smart TVs and speakers offering streaming services became essential additions to our living rooms, providing access to endless content, from movies and TV shows to music and online games at the click of a button.

“The internet and Wi-Fi were introduced, connecting us to the world without a cable in sight,” says Shoree.

“Homes became global hubs, all from the comfort of our couches.”

Want to learn more about Frasers Property Australia?

Find out more