Dire rental affordability should be wake-up call for Labor
Dire rental affordability should be wake-up call for Labor | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Dire rental affordability should be wake-up call for Labor 2025-11-24 Australia’s rental market remains dire according to the latest data from SGS Economics and Planning’s Rental Affordability Index 2025.
In Sydney, full-time workers face severe rental stress and people receiving income support would need to put 131% of their income toward rent making stable housing unattainable without significant assistance. The data finds that Adelaide is as unaffordable as Sydney, with many outer suburbs becoming inaccessible for average earners. Regional areas across the country have also become less affordable, many hitting the lowest affordability levels recorded by the Index.
The Greens say this is further proof of Australia’s housing crisis hitting renters and call on the government to stop prioritising wealthy property investors over renters. Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock: “Australia is in a national housing crisis that is spiralling out of control and renters are paying the price.
People on low and moderate incomes, who can’t afford to buy a home, are facing extreme rental stress. Essential workers - teachers, nurses and police - can’t afford to live near where they work. “Across Australia, we’re seeing a rental market that is unaffordable.
With vacancy rates at record lows , the rental market is so tight that landlords can hike prices leaving renters with nowhere else to go. That’s exactly why the Government needs to introduce rent caps - to stop profiteering and give people a fighting chance. “The problem is that successive governments have created a housing system where rich property investors get billions in tax discounts to buy multiple properties, while millions of others can't even find an affordable rental, let alone buy a house of their own.
It’s no wonder 89 per cent of Australians agree we’re in a housing crisis. “The Government’s $181 billion tax breaks for wealthy investors - via the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing - are locking out first home buyers and forcing rents to skyrocket. “Without tackling the root causes of the housing crisis, Labor’s policies, such as their 5% deposit scheme, are pushing property prices up further - locking even more people out of affordable rentals and home ownership.
That includes essential workers, such as nurses and teachers, who are already struggling to afford homes near their workplaces. “This government needs to start treating housing as a human right instead of a game of monopoly. Rather than giving billions of tax breaks to wealthy property investors, the Government should be investing directly into building good quality homes and renting them to people who need them at prices they can actually afford.” Media contact: Charlotta Lomas - 0466 339 862 Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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