- Australia's regional areas experienced significant rent surges over the past year.
- Double-digit rent increases recorded in regional Queensland, WA, Victoria, and South Australia.
- Urgent need for more social housing to tackle the escalating regional housing crisis.
Australia’s regional areas have been slapped with substantial rent surges over the past year. Accordingly, Everybody’s Home has released an analysis showing the top 10 regional areas hit worst by the rent hikes last year, underscoring the dire situation in Australia’s regions.
The research was released just as the National Regional Housing Summit occurs today, where the government, industry bodies, and not-for-profits will gather to discuss solutions to the regional housing crisis.
Double-digit percentage rent hikes in the past year
The analysis of SQM Research data has found double-digit percentage rent growth in regional Queensland, Western Australia (WA), Victoria, and South Australia over the past year.
Top 10 regional areas hit with the highest % rental increase in 12 months
| Region | 12 month rental increase % | 12 month rental increase $ |
|---|---|---|
| Central Queensland | 21.8% | $77 |
| Goldfields Region WA | 21% | $93 |
| Central Coast WA | 20.8% | $74 |
| Northern WA | 18.4% | $133 |
| South Western Victoria | 17.3% | $77 |
| South West WA | 16.8% | $83 |
| Southern Queensland | 16.7% | $67 |
| Queensland Far North Coast | 12.5% | $54 |
| Eyre SA | 12.5% | $37 |
| Western Victoria | 12.1% | $47 |
Source: SQM Research.
Asking rents in the top 10 most affected regions grew to a minimum of $37 more per week compared to last year, with Northern WA renters paying $133 more.
More social housing urgently needed in Australia’s regions
Everbody’s Home spokesperson, Maiy Azize, argued that supplying more social housing in the regions was one of the best solutions for alleviating the housing crisis.
“Right across regional Australia, we’re seeing rents rise every year, and more people become trapped in housing stress and homelessness. This isn’t right, and must stop being accepted as normal,” Azize said.
“A lack of affordable housing has flow-on effects for the liveability of regional areas. Long-time locals are being driven out of their communities. Essential workers are struggling to find a place to live.”
Azize stated that an alarming 227,000 social homes are required in regional Australia to meet present demands for housing. As the population increases, this figure will likely grow over the next 20 years.
“The regional housing summit is an important opportunity to keep the rental crisis conversation alive, but there are only so many times governments can be told of the same solutions. It’s time for governments to start acting on more ambitious plans to improve housing affordability across the country.”
“The federal government must spend more on social housing, end investor handouts, and work with the states and territories to stop unfair rent increases.
Maiy Azize, Everybody’s Home
“Australian taxpayers have never spent so much propping up the private rental market, yet housing has never been so unaffordable. The housing system is out of balance because of government policy decisions – government action must fix this before it gets even worse.”
