Renting Becoming the New Normal

Media release – Better Renting, 29 June 2022

Census data show 280,000 new rental households

Data from the 2021 Census confirm that renting continues to be a way of life for almost 3 million households in Australia.

The 2021 Census shows a total of 2.8 million rental households. This is an increase of almost 280,000 households compared to the 2016 Census. However, due to population growth renters have gone from making up 30.9% of households to 30.6% of households.

Strikingly, the number of renters in public housing has fallen dramatically, with a decrease of over 25,000. NSW has led this increase, with more than 12,000 fewer households in public renting. While every jurisdiction has fewer public housing households, some have offset this with an increase in community housing.[1] WA, Tasmania, the NT and the ACT have an increase in community housing that exceeds the decrease in public housing. Victoria, NSW, Queensland and SA have all seen a loss. The number of people renting in public or community housing has fallen from 4.2% to 3.8%. 

These figures show the need for more action to support people who rent to have stable, affordable homes, according to Joel Dignam, Executive Director of tenant advocacy organisation Better Renting.

“Millions of people in Australia are now making homes in the rental sector. They are renting as they mark life milestones, raise children, and transition into retirement. But it’s hard to make a home in this situation when you can face eviction at the drop of a hat, and when there are few protections against eye-watering rent increases.”

“With more people renting, renting long-term, and bringing up children in the rental sector, state governments need to prioritise rental reform to provide for stable, affordable, and healthy rental homes.”

“It’s also concerning to see the drop off in public housing. At a time when the for-profit housing market is failing our community, there is more need than ever for government to take responsibility to provide affordable homes for people on low incomes. Yet these figures show that governments aren’t even providing enough public housing to keep up with population growth, let alone an increase in public housing to meet the urgent need for people who are currently couchsurfing, sleeping in their cars, or skipping meals to pay the rent.”

[1] Public housing is owned and operated by government.  Tenants pay either market rent or about 25% of their income, whichever is lower. Community housing is operated by non-government organisations. Rent may be a proportion of income, or a fixed discount from market rent. Social housing is an umbrella term covering both forms.