Rising rents in Australia exceed half of median worker income; housing affordability crisis

Consensus Summary

Australia’s housing affordability crisis has worsened, with rents now consuming over half of a median $70,000 earner’s take-home pay in every capital city. Both the Guardian and ABC report that Sydney’s median rent of $756 per week takes 69% of a $70,000 earner’s income, while Adelaide, the most affordable capital, still costs over 50%. The Albanese government’s May budget reforms were predicted to add less than $2 per week to median rent, but rents have surged by $48 or $50 since March 2025, depending on the source. Housing advocacy group Everybody’s Home released the Priced Out report, highlighting that even high earners like those on $130,000 spend 40% of their income on rent, while low-income earners on $40,000 spend 80% or more. The report calls for urgent government action, including building 940,000 public and community homes over 15 years, limiting rent increases, and ending no-grounds evictions. The Guardian also notes regional Australia’s rents exceed $330 per week, while the ABC emphasizes the Gold Coast and Perth as particularly expensive. Both sources agree the crisis predates recent policy changes, with rents rising steadily for years.