Rental affordability in Australia is as bad as it has ever been, according to new Anglicare Australia report   
ABC News
April 23 2025


In short: The 2024 Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot has recorded its lowest ever amount of affordable rentals across the country.
Its annual report, released today, shows the number of affordable rentals available for different Australian households on low incomes.

The report has found housing availability has not recovered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – with average rents $200 a week higher than pre-pandemic levels.
There is not a single property across Australia – or even a room in a shared house – that's affordable for someone on youth allowance, according to a new report from support organisation Anglicare Australia.

And just three properties Australia wide were deemed affordable for those on a JobSeeker allowance.   

The affordability snapshot found rental affordability is the worst it has ever been, with Anglicare describing its findings as "nothing short of horrifying".

"For those fortunate enough to find a home, they will be forced to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm this winter or keeping a roof over their head," the report said.

Declining availability
The snapshot report released today tested 45,115 rental listings in March across the country to find what is affordable for low income earners.

It compared the properties with various household types and found affordability "is the worst it's ever been", with average rents $200 per week higher than pre-pandemic levels.

A property was considered affordable if it required less than 30 per cent of a household's income (and had an adequate number of bedrooms), as paying more than that puts renters in housing stress.

Extreme conditions for renters described as 'needle in a haystack type stuff' as housing crisis deepens
There is further evidence Australia's ongoing housing crisis is deepening as the national vacancy rate hits a record low of 0.7 per cent, according to Domain.


Read more
Its data revealed just 13.4 per cent of rental listings across the country are affordable for a family of four with both parents on a full-time minimum wage and only 1.8 per cent are affordable for a single parent on a full-time minimum wage.

For a single person out of work and on the JobSeeker payment, the only affordable properties were two rooms in a shared house, or a single unit in rural New South Wales.

In WA, not a single property for someone on JobSeeker or youth allowance would be affordable. 

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said the vacancy rate for rentals is adding pressure to a stretched market.

"Every year we say it's getting worse and it's hard to imagine how much worse it can get," she said.   

"But this year, there's just about zilch that's affordable."


Kasy Chambers says housing stress is beginning to affect people earning well above minimum wage.
She said the average dual income household on minimum wage would have previously found about a third of properties affordable, but that's drastically changed.

"We can really see that the unaffordability that used to affect people on the very lowest of incomes is climbing the income level," she said.

'It can happen to anyone'
For some, the issue of Australia's housing crisis is closer to home.

Caitlin* was working in the homelessness sector last year in Perth when she almost became homeless herself due to steep rental increases.


Caitlin says she never thought she'd be in this situation.
The 33-year-old was living in a dual-income household in Perth's inner east, caring for her 15-year-old child who has severe autism, when things started to snowball.

From October last year, Caitlin and her partner started to fall behind on rent and were facing eviction notices.

"I work in a position where I'm supposed to be helping people and now I'm someone who reached out for that help – I had a lot of shame around that," she said.


Caitlin says she's beyond grateful for the government's relief scheme.
Come December, she was about to be forced onto the streets when a state government scheme saved her.

Caitlin accessed the WA government's rent relief program, which allows tenants in private rentals to access a one-off support payment of up to $5,000 to cover rental arrears.

The scheme was able to pay off a backlog of rent owed and enabled her to "get back on her feet".


Caitlin says she's still scared about future rent rises and how she'll afford them.
"This [housing stress] is not discriminating, it's affecting such a wide cross section of people," she said.

"Without a program like this, at best we would have had to split up as a family and live in share houses, at worst, I can't even think about it."

whiteknight wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 7:13am:


Hi Sir Crook,
it's caused by mass immigration from the insane Labor Govt.




https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/money/article-13317021/Australia-100000-immigra...







 

The landmark total is eight times the number of new homes approved and is set to further fuel the worsening housing crisis.

February's net intake of permanent and long-term arrivals was 105,460 - almost double January's 55,330 level, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.

This occurred as a large number of international students moved to Australia for the first semester of the university year.

Australia's capital cities also have rental vacancy rates under one per cent as construction activity fails to keep pace with booming population growth.


The 12,520 houses, apartments and government units approved in February was only one-eighth the monthly net immigration arrival figure, with capital city rents surging by double-digit percentage figures during the past year.


Institute of Public Affairs deputy executive director Daniel Wild said this was a recipe for a housing crisis

'Australia's migration intake remains out of control, with promises to "normalise" arrivals in tatters,' he said.



Treasury's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook forecast Australia's annual net overseas migration figure would moderate to 375,000 in the 2023-24 financial year.

But that is hardly happening, with 498,270 net arrivals in the year to February, covering permanent skilled migrants and long-term arrivals like international students.

A record 548,800 migrants arrived in the year to September, with the foreign influx making up 83.2 per cent of Australia's population increase.

Immigration ( at least labor’s crazy unsubstantial way) is partly to blame.
Lack of new homes being built, three year approved process by councils .
Cost overruns and builders going broke are others.

Another interesting question is that it has never cost as much as it does now to buy or build a new home nor have they ever been so poorly built and filled with defects. How is that possible?

Interesting, thank you. We are totally screwed looking at the clock!

I’m concerned about the nsw state government review into caravans. This “ may” result in people being unable to live on their own land in one without paying council ( 30k for approval has been mentioned).

The tiny house movement is a untapped solution to the housing crisis, not everyone wants a McMansion but again council and state governments have done nothing to enable them.

Our politicians lack any vision for the future?

I have always felt confused when travelling in Europe how countries that were completely destroyed by war are far superior to Australia in every way.

Why is it so backwards here?

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We are.

BTW, you can buy entire towns here for less the price of an inner city apartment.

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There are a whole lot of people who work in the CBD but cannot afford to live there. At least, not in the style they are accustomed to.

You do not have to live in one of the east coast capitals. Even if that is where you currently work.

Caves are still affordable.

thegreatdivide wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 11:41am:



Albanese has a short memory.  His mother was given welfare and housing in the inner west of Sydney to raise her son in security.  Whilst living on welfare might have meant being financially disadvantaged at times, it did offer security and a stable home life. That is something Albo denies the vulnerable families of today. His attitude is despicable towards the working poor and those without financial security. He doesn't care that renters are being kicked out and replaced with those who can pay more in a city that is 2nd in the world for unaffordable housing. He just increases his already impressive property portfolio. He doesn't care that vulnerable people without any support cannot get welfare housing and are placed on never ending housing lists. He doesn't care that there is only 1 home for every 4 applicants in Sydney. If he did, he would stop bringing in millions of migrants well knowing that they would put an impossible demand on virtually non existent housing.

All he cares about is a big Australia and filling the country up with millions more to satisfy big business, multi nationals and greedy govts. And being the little scumbag he is, he panders to his multi millionaire donors. He doesn't care that parents and their kids are being kicked out of rental housing losing the security of living in the same area, attending the same school and having the same friends like he had as a kid. No wonder there are so many mental health issues for kids and their mums trying to get ahead but failing because of his govt's immigration policies.

And all the while he allows foreign millionaires to buy up much of our housing creating a terrible demand that pushes prices beyond what an average wage earner could ever afford.

Seems he has a forgotten the time a more socially responsible govt showed compassion towards him and his mother and gave them a stable home and security.

You probably couldn't afford one of those Bobby.

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 12:57pm:



Who would want to live in a high rise dump?

It's also a death trap in a fire.

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 11:48am:



and what is the cost of travel from your fictitious affordable town to the nearest capital ?

There is very limited choice in “ where I want to live “, in fact it’s not just me, it’s a housing crisis.

Australia is vast, we have land to spare inland but absolutely zero infrastructure to attract anyone.

With some vision it could be a viable solution.

It’s been successful overseas

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 1:22pm:


The various VFT proposals were a good way to open the inland up but every time someone proposed it, they got shot down by idiots claiming it cost to much.

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 2:24pm:


So what jobs are going in your imaginary town?

freediver wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 2:59pm:



yes - house painters.

John Smith wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 6:58pm:


Are you suggesting the job ads don't exist because I don't list them for you John?

Do you think this is why people live in cities they cannot afford to rent in, because they are afraid of the unknown other 99% of the country?

John Smith wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2024 at 10:02pm:


And you think listing job ads will clarify the matter?

Ah, that town.

You also claimed in this thread that it does not exist, and I responded with several examples:

https://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1712561086/50#50

freediver wrote on Apr 24^th, 2024 at 7:08am:


no, you listed a town that was for sale several years ago, another $6 million town (not sure what sort of apartment you live in)  and no job opportunities for either of them. Not quite the same thing as buying 'a town for less than an apartment' as a way to beat affordability in the property market now is it. I think it's time you got out your crayons and started again.

John Smith wrote on Apr 24^th, 2024 at 5:52pm:


As far as I know it is still for sale. As are others. For less than the price of an inner city apartment. Exactly like I said. I do not know how to explain your confusion on the matter.

Frank wrote on Apr 24^th, 2024 at 9:04pm:


Once upon a time, we had housing commission built by TAFE apprentices under supervision of competent teachers.

Not only were houses built quickly and cheaply but a pipeline of trades were trained.

Win, win, win.

I believe back to the future could be a answer.

We also need to have reasonable expectations.

I can’t afford what I want or where I prefer to live but given the opportunity of affordable housing I may in the future have the opportunity to move to my favourite area’s.

I’m happy too move out west if I can secure a reasonable rental and work.

Is housing a fundamental right for Australians  or is it now a luxury for the rich?

Why are stadiums priorities for governments rather than shelter?

Jasin wrote on Apr 24^th, 2024 at 9:19pm:


You've got it - order your thoughts better.... we are looking at the development of a neo-feudal style of society/culture here ... some of it is the inner madness of the overly well-off in their base assumptions without merit or intellect, that somehow they have the 'right' to go down this path - another part comes from the advent of far too many people from what were third world countries, with their extreme divides between rich and poor, and their fundamentally uncivilised idea that only the rich deserve anything decent and the rest should be begging for a crust of a couple of day's work here and there to pick their grapes and olives.

Years ago, broke as after divorce, injury and illness, and out of fuel - I was parked on the side of the road at a stop where you could build a fire... it wasn't so bad... winter and sunsets were nice and a fire was beaut... slept in the back of the station wagon for 3-4 days before finding a place in town where I found a great sleeping partner - man, oh, man - what a woman ............  as I looked one evening from gathering sticks, back at my car - I thought:-  "This would make a great painting - modern day swaggy and his faithful steed at the fireside stop".

Not so far off the truth.... after that I started again, building a house from scratch in my fifties.... and still not well... ending up with a heart attack, but still going and then renovating two houses to build capital... until the big one eighteen months ago - heart failure and triple bypass..... and that has sure knocked some steam out of me.

Best you learn as much from the Old Master as possible.... none of us know how much time we have left.... and you will need me some time.....

Yeah - but all those people in part-time casual and lower wages working for their old country boss on agreement are not going to be paying the taxes needed to support that older generation anyway - so this is barking up a dead tree... it is barking along a dead log lying on the ground.

Creating of this one another third world country is not going to solve any problems in any way.... NO third world country is able to look after itself properly and especially any 'aging population'.

Get with it... engage brain.... you can't make a country more 'prosperous' sufficiently to afford that aging population by reducing the general prosperity and hoarding it all into the hands of a few, most of whom 'disappear' it offshore or into tax dodges anyway.

Jesus - some of you people....         

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Transaction costs, and other legal and logistical issues.

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Neither.

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The latest data is back up to 1.7

freediver wrote on Apr 25^th, 2024 at 8:05am:



A new agent would have a new ad dumbarse

freediver wrote on Apr 25^th, 2024 at 8:05am:


they only seem stupid to simpletons

freediver wrote on Apr 25^th, 2024 at 8:05am:


of your stupidity? I agree

freediver wrote on Apr 25^th, 2024 at 8:05am:


you making dumb comments with no thought to how it works is a misunderstanding, it's just another example of your simple mindedness.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Apr 24^th, 2024 at 10:08pm:




This will be lost on them. Utterly.

And Mothra.

freediver wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 7:37am:



No sane person would suggest it as a solution to the housing crisis.

But i can understand why you are running away from your comments.

freediver wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 9:03am:


And you mentioned it in a thread about unaffordable housing because ........... 

John Smith wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 6:25pm:


I think the point was bleeding obvious when I made it John. To everyone except you.

And mothra.

If you would like me to clarify a post John, quote the whole post. Just don't do your usual trick of leaving most of it out then whining that I won't fill in the blanks for you.

I'm guessing you won't. There is a limit to how stupid you are willing to look.

freediver wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:30pm:


There isn't. There is a limit only to how stupid YOU think he is willing to look. That is not the limit of how stupid he IS.

Get it right, FD.

freediver wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:30pm:


Don't ever under-estimate Smith like that!!  He's got more balls than a Guinness record juggling team and is always prepared to go a lot further than you think he can!!  The boy knows no limits!!  And he's got Mothra to rub him down and towel him off between rounds....

Heeeeey!  Where's the laughing jackass again?  Back in Gondwanamo, is he?  They forget something? Need to extract some info from him about teenage terrorists in El Cidney, in between extracting his finger nails and wiring him up to the wind-up telephone???  see that handle on the right?  It sends electricity through the wires and makes the other end ring.....

John is being very considerate. I asked him not to do his usual trick so he went with something else.

Stop mass immigration of incompatibles

Hang ten real estate agents a week until the rest get the message

Get rid of your piss poor governments elect and appointed for failure to do their jobs (there's a life's work for you!) ...

Start again with a new deck

Assume I never joke about serious issues - I cloak them in humour sometimes so that the sugar covers your lies which are cornered in your small minds (some of you) about them ....

Make a list...... think of your favourite 'social justice causes' - you'll know instantly that they are all insane.....

Now give Victorian Abos the profits from renewables as a right........ teach them Abomaths and Aboreadin' and Aboritin' ... finger painting.... they'll all get Aboriginal Ph.Ds and can go by 'Doctor' after that..... just count the crayons in and out...

When is poor Victoria going to get to VOTE on this insane 'treaty' nonsense?

Lessee now ----
Give the Abos all the profits from renewables on 'their' land (which they don't own but 'caretake' (LMAO).
Give them control as demanded over water, land and resoruces.
'recognise them' = make them an independent group outside mainstream and able to do as they want.
Give them their own 'laws' ..... that'll fix all their problems....
Give 4% unelected total control over your entire country and all its improvements that they would never have had.
Just accept that anyone who says so is entitled™ to all the perks without any of the responsibilities.
Leave their kids ALL in their own community regardless of all other factors (fine with me - let's see the result).
Make sure you vote on whether or not Victoria can even negotiate a treaty with its own people or any special group within.  How about the Mussos next?  what about a treaty with Whites, encompassing all the GOOD things they've brought and the work they've put in?

"Lessee now... Mr Batman, suh .... your lot BUILT Melbun.... your economic structure creates the housing.... brings in the fancy cars ....provides the easy access to food and services....... works out how to pay useless mouths for doing nothing......... provides care and protection for children after massively costly court etc work..... tries to protect the community at the same time as selling it down the river(sic) to enslave those who work to the whims of those who don't ......  hands over free land to whiners and whingers who never did a thing with it but want all the inclusions for free.......

Nah - nothing there that warrants a treaty - your voices aren't loud enough or demanding children enough...... come back in ten years time when all the other BS is settled and you are working to support the freeloaders and it's finally sunk in what you allowed to happen on your watch.".

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 9:36am:


Serenading me with Sinead O'connor, how nice. But I'm not gay so maybe you should concentrate on Bobby

Poll

Frank wrote on Apr 26^th, 2024 at 8:40pm:

What is the percentage of unskilled and hostile immigrants as opposed to skilled and contributing ones?

Frank wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 8:30pm:

What percentage is inevitable?

In the meantime, there are codgers in homes and thousands more edging towards it, who need hosing down by skilled Filipinos.

Frank wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 8:48pm:

So you don't know that unskilled migration to Australia is large-scale and non-discriminatory. or that the floodgates have been opened to useless or detrimental immigration.

Sure, the odd northern European crossdresser might squeeze through... It's possible.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 9:04pm:

One of these days you will make a coherent, clear point.
Just not yet.
For now, it's preening, hinting, articulating, hedging. You are the kind of guy who will do expressive dancing as long as poss.   You are so sophisticated that you cannot say what you think because it is too complicated for words. Hence your  expressive dancing.

Strut on.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Apr 27^th, 2024 at 9:21pm:

More expressive dancing.

Gauche.