Australian households have lost $602 million* since the Global Financial Crisis began. We need to dust ourselves off, get back on the horse, and invest positively to make up lost ground.

The average Australian worker has lost $33,500 in wealth since December 2007, with the cost to families averaging $110,000. Household wealth had peaked at $250,200 in December 2007, and just 15 months later, it had fallen to $216,700.

Share market dividends fell 37% in the half-year to March, while take-home pay also went backwards. People are wondering what they should do next.

A clear solution starts with the news is that the property market is on the rise. Residex data shows that the national price of housing has risen 0.7 per cent in the last month and 2.1 per cent since May. The strength of the property market holds the key to stabilising the Australian economy, with a 22 per cent rise in housing prices in major capital cities forecast over the next three years.

As the fears caused by the GFC recede, the property market is well positioned to come up trumps. The First Home Owners Grant has supported the entry level of the market, with investors ready to take over the running once government subsidies are pulled back.

Our property market has withstood the worst the GFC could throw at it, and median house prices are almost back to where they started before it all began. This is an amazing performance, particularly when compared to other countries.

In terms of overall financial losses, these are too great for hard-working Australian families to recover simply through super, savings plans or better budgeting. However, positive investments in property can help greatly in the quest to rebuild family assets.

So while we all need to accept that we have lost ground, the strength of the property market stands out as a beacon of confidence and a potential solution. It is there for us to turn to as the engine to pull ourselves back on track.

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*Data source: Peter Martin, Sydney Morning Herald, July 16, 2009