Nurses can afford just 1.1% of rentals, Anglicare finds

How much of the market workers can afford

A nurse on a full-time wage could afford 1.1% of the listings checked, and a teacher 3.3%. For retail workers, cleaners and social workers, the share was under 1%. Anglicare says only three of the 16 jobs were better off than in 2025; the other 13 were worse off or unchanged.

Key numbers

The ABC cites Cotality data showing unit rents up 44.3% and house rents up 36.6% over five years, while wages grew by less than half that pace. In last year's edition, nurses could afford 1.5% of listings, so the share has slipped again. According to the ABC, there were no affordable options at all for people on JobSeeker or the disability support pension.

Why it's happening

Rents have climbed much faster than pay for several years. Anglicare points to decades of too little social and affordable housing being built, which leaves lower and middle earners competing for the same private rentals. Even with rent growth now slowing, as we reported in rents are up 52% in six years, the gap between rents and wages has not closed.

The snapshot looks at whole homes listed for rent. It does not count individual rooms in shared homes, which is where many workers on modest wages end up living. Because each listing is compared with a single full-time wage, the results show how much of the open market one person on one income can realistically reach.

Ways to make rent work on one wage

• Look at rooms, not just whole homes. A room in a shared home is often far cheaper than renting a place alone.
• Compare the full weekly cost. Rent plus power, internet and transport tells you more than rent alone.
• Think about location and transport together. A room a little further out on a good train or bus line can save money overall.
• Check for help. Your state's tenancy authority and housing services can tell you about rent assistance and bond help you may qualify for.