Rental affordability snapshot: National Report 2024

Abstract

The worst it has ever been. That is the only way to describe the current state of rental affordability in Australia. The stark reality facing people on low incomes is that they will not find an affordable place to live, that families will be evicted because another rent increase will push them beyond the limit, and 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.

This is not hyperbole. This is Australia’s new normal.

Every year, Anglicare Australia surveys rental listings across Australia to see what it is like for people on low incomes to rent a home. We do this by taking a snapshot of the thousands of properties listed for rent on realestate.com.au. We test whether each rental listing is affordable and suitable for people on low incomes. The Rental Affordability Snapshot is released every year in April. This is the fifteenth edition.