Policy context

Housing affordability and availability significantly impact families’ and young people’s ability to live securely and safely. Research indicates that housing stress and instability can detrimentally affect children’s and young people’s health and wellbeing in both the short- and long-term.¹ ²

A household is considered to be experiencing housing stress if it spends more than 30% of its income on housing costs. As of 2024, the national median market rent in Australia reached a record high of $627 per week, with an annual growth rate of 9.1% over the past three years.³

The risk of poverty is more than twice as high for households renting privately compared to homeowners, with or without a mortgage. The most recent WA Cost of Living report shows that a considerable number of single parents who lived in rented accommodation survive on low incomes and commit approximately 40% of their income towards housing costs. For two parent families it is 30%.⁴

Addressing housing affordability and availability is crucial for the health and wellbeing of families and young people across Australia.