Housing Crisis in Australia: More than Half of Average Income Spent on Rent

Data reveals that in all Australian capital cities, renting a unit now consumes more than 50% of an average person’s income. According to a report by EveryBediz Home, individuals earning an annual income of AUD 70,000 spend 56%, those earning AUD 40,000 allocate 89%, and those earning AUD 100,000 set aside 41% of their income on average rent.

The report highlights that across all eight Australian capital cities, an average-income earner must devote at least 51% of their income to cover typical unit rental costs. Sydney faces the highest ratio, where someone earning AUD 70,000 annually spends 69% of their income weekly on housing rent.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average annual salary for employees in Australia was AUD 74,100 as of August 2025. Mai Aziz, a representative of a housing advocacy group, stated that the government’s withdrawal from public and community housing construction has led to a severe housing crisis. She warned that approximately one million such homes will be required over the next 15 years.