'You can’t plan life when your home can be gone in an email': Australia's rental crisis laid bare
Rents are at record highs across Australia, but new research reveals the rental crisis is no longer just a financial issue — it is reshaping lives, wellbeing and long-term security for both renters and investors.
Australia's rental crisis is tumbling towards a point of no return, with three in four renting households nationwide now in 'rental stress'. (Image source: Hyejin Kang/Shutterstock.com)
Australia’s rental market closed out 2025 under historic pressure, with rents sitting at record highs nationwide and the human cost of housing instability becoming increasingly visible.
The national median weekly rent reached $650 in December, rising 1.6 per cent over the quarter and 4.8 per cent over the year, according to the data released Tuesday (20 January) by realestate.com.au.
That equates to an extra $1,560 per year for the average rent…
