Anglicare Report Highlights Rental Challenges
Anglicare Sydney’s 2026 Rental Affordability Snapshot exposes a dire situation for renters in the Central West. Full-time employment fails to guarantee affordable housing for many individuals and families, according to the report.
Over the weekend of March 14th to 15th, 437 private rentals were advertised. A staggering 99.3% were unaffordable for single retirees relying on the Age Pension. Individuals receiving the Disability Support Pension found 99.5% of rentals beyond reach. For those on JobSeeker payments, Youth Allowance, or single parents with two children on JobSeeker, the situation was equally grim as no affordable options were available.
Only 2.1% of rentals were affordable for people working full-time on the minimum wage. The proportion of affordable properties for households on income support payments has nearly halved since 2025, leaving just 5% of properties meeting affordability criteria.
Rob Stokes, Group Executive of Housing at Anglicare, expressed concern over the findings: “The great Australian dream used to be having a house to call your own. Now people are lucky to find a rental that doesn’t immediately tip them into financial distress.” He added, “Even if you’re earning minimum wage, imagine scrolling past countless listings before finding one you can afford, only to face an enormous line for a viewing.”
Supply and demand imbalances continue to plague the market. Available rentals have not rebounded to pre-COVID levels, prompting Anglicare to urge the government to address this crisis in the current budget cycle. “To see the Central West rental market in this state is concerning,” Stokes said. “Anglicare is calling on the government to make a meaningful difference to protect what is a human right, to have a safe and secure place to live.”
Anglicare calls for a significant increase in social and affordable housing supply, financial support for private renters, and prioritization of vulnerable groups. The organisation suggests reforms such as adjusting tax incentives and annually adding 10,000 social dwellings.
Continued high demand for housing highlights the urgent need for new and affordable stock in the market. Anglicare stresses that housing is a human right, and efforts must focus on making housing accessible to all.
The complete Rental Affordability Snapshot 2026 can be accessed online through Anglicare Sydney’s digital platform. Interviews are available on Thursday, April 30, 2026, for further insights.
