The latest Bankwest/Mortgage and Finance Association o Australia (MFAA) Home Finance Index found that nearly a third of first-time buyers were less worried about job security, while a third felt their financial situation had improved in the past year.

"For those with job security, a flattening in house prices and competitive mortgage deals are increasingly spurring first-time buyer intention in the real estate market," MFAA CEO Phil Naylor said.

Of the survey's 1100 respondents, 32 per cent were worried about losing their job - down from 41 per cent in July 2010.

Fifty-nine per cent said they were changing their behaviour and trying to save more money.

"The national savings rate has pushed through 10 per cent and it seems that young buyers putting money aside for a home deposit are part of this trend," Bankwest head of specialist banking Ian Rakhit said.

"This could be one of the reasons for current sluggish consumer spending trends."

While the survey found that fewer people were putting off buying a home due to the economic situation, it also found many aspiring property owners were struggling to get into the market.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents were worried about the level of debt a property purchase would commit them to, while 36 per cent didn't think they would ever get to buy a property.

Only 25 per cent thought the Federal Government was doing enough to help them.

"Given that prices are higher and government grants lower, it may be a while yet before these extra savings match the level of first-time buyer activity seen in 2009," Mr Rakhit said.

"However, the signs are more positive for this segment of the market."