Rental Affordability Snapshot

The Rental Affordability Snapshot is designed to highlight the lived experience of looking for housing while on a low income. It focuses on the Australian population who earn the least income – Commonwealth benefit recipients and minimum wage earners.

Every year, Anglicare Australia tests if it is possible for people on low incomes to rent a home in the private market. We do this by taking a snapshot of the thousands of properties listed for rent on realestate.com.au. We test whether each property is affordable and suitable for people on low incomes, and for Australia’s essential workers. We are grateful for the support of REA Group for giving us access to the property listings data from realestate.com.au every year to enable us to do this research effectively.

To explore rental affordability for essential workers in your local area, visit www.anglicare.asn.au/heat-maps

2026: Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2026 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. The Snapshot surveyed 49,000 rental listings across Australia. Anglicare Australia is calling on the Government to return to directly funding and providing housing itself, instead of leaving housing to the private sector. Anglicare Australia is also calling on the Government to wind back landlord tax concessions.

2025: Rental Affordability Snapshot – Essential Workers Report

The 2025 Snapshot surveyed 51,238 rental listings. The findings show that despite a thirteen percent increase in listings nationally there has been negligible change across all essential worker categories over the last year. In response to these findings Anglicare Australia is calling on Government to take bolder action to tackle the housing crisis.

2025: Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. The Snapshot surveyed 51,238 rental listings across Australia. Anglicare Australia is calling on the Government to return to directly funding and providing housing itself, instead of leaving housing to the private sector. Anglicare Australia is also calling on the Government to wind back landlord tax concessions.

2024: Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2024 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed over 45,000 rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. Anglicare Australia is calling on the Government to tackle housing affordability in the upcoming Federal Budget.

2023: Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2023 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed over 45,000 rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. Anglicare Australia is calling on all parties and candidates to tackle housing affordability in the upcoming Federal Budget.

2022: Rental Affordability Snapshot

The 2022 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed over 45,000 rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. Anglicare Australia is calling on all parties and candidates to tackle housing affordability in the election campaign.

2021: Rental Affordability Snapshot

After a year of volatility and shock, Australians are facing a rental market that has never been less affordable. The 2021 Rental Affordability Snapshot surveyed over 74,000 rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. Anglicare Australia is calling on the Government to tackle housing affordability in its next Budget.