Analysis Finds Few Affordable Rentals for Low-Income Singles but Dozens for Couples and Families in NSW and Victoria

Abc reported that Four Corners analysed 127 rentals advertised under NSW affordability guidelines and 53 under Victorian schemes between April 13 and June 11 2026. The review found few properties affordable for very low or low-income single people under the 30 per cent of pre-tax income threshold.

In NSW a single person earning $57,000 could afford only three studio apartments in Kingswood, 52 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD.

A single parent with one child earning $74,000 had four two-bedroom options below $427 per week. A low-income couple could afford 40 properties while a low-income single adult with one child had four. Of the 53 Victorian listings none suited very low or low-income singles, though 21 options existed for lower-income couples and 40 for families.

Nearly half the NSW listings did not meet the state guideline of at least a 20 per cent discount to local median market rent. A one-bedroom unit in Bondi Beach was advertised at $925 per week and a two-bedroom unit at $1,400 per week. The two-bedroom property later leased for $1,150 per week.

Abc reported that NSW guidelines allow providers to calculate their own market rent benchmarks. Sarah Hutt moved into a Mission Australia studio at Midtown in Macquarie Park in 2024 at $412 per week, or 30 per cent of her $70,000 income. In May 2026 the rent rose to 75 per cent of market rate, adding about $80 per week and consuming 35 per cent of her income.

Mission Australia said it switched all Midtown tenants to 74.99 per cent of market rent to cover delivery and management costs. Christopher Hewson had his application for an affordable unit at Swift Walk in Melbourne rejected. Seven months after completion 18 of 181 Swift Walk affordable properties remained empty.