Even though she is in one of the most highly skilled trades and working for one of the best paying employers in her industry, apprentice Laura Gunther could have to save for a decade to put a deposit on a median priced Sydney home.

"It's depressing. It's very depressing," the 28-year-old fitter says. "I guess that is what the position is for people at my age and earning similar money to me. We don't really get to own in Sydney."

Laura Gunther is an apprentice at Sydney Ferries and although she has a good job it will take her at least 10 years to save for a deposit on a property. Credit: Kate Geraghty

According to economic modelling by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, highly skilled and well paid tradespeople such as Ms Gunther would need to save for up to 11 years from their first year as an apprentice to pay a 20 per cent deposit on an $882,000 home.

For a $500,000 home, tradespeople such as Ms Gunther would have to save for eight years to have enough for a $100,000 deposit.