On the weekend of 15-16 March 2025, 17,028 rental listings advertised on the realestate.com.au website across NSW were tested for affordability for single people in sixteen key worker occupations. The Snapshot defined an affordable rental property as one which required up to 30% of a worker's income in rent. Exceeding the 30% benchmark is seen as an indicator of housing stress. |
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1. Aged care worker
2. Ambulance officer
3. Childcare worker
4. Cleaner
5. Construction worker
6. Delivery driver
7. Dispatcher
8. Firefighter
9. Freight driver
10. Hospitality worker
11. Meat packer
12. Nurse
13. Postal worker
14. Retail worker
15. School teacher
16. Social and community services worker
Michael's commute to and from work from an outer western Sydney suburb to his inner-city workplace takes up to an hour and a half each way, involving a train and two buses. His commute time depends on each of the modes of transport syncing and there being no delays, cancellations or interruptions to service.
There are several reasons why Michael cannot relocate closer to work. The cost of renting in the inner city is too high and the accommodation available is not appropriate. He has animals to care for which would not be possible in an inner-city unit. He reflects... “it’s the same for all health care workers, none of us can afford to live where we work”.
The proportion of affordable rentals for key workers was lower in Greater Sydney than the rest of NSW
Regions with largest number of affordable rentals for essential workers.
1. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
2. New England and North West
3. Central West
4. Riverina
Regions with NO affordable rentals for essential workers
1. Sydney – Northern Beaches
2. Sydney – Sutherland
Anjali’s daily commute is at least an hour to her workplace but frequently longer depending on the reliability of public transport since she does not drive.
Living closer to work is not an option because of the housing cost. She says that houses cost on average $1 million in the suburb where her workplace is.
However, she likes where she lives because she has friends, relatives and is involved in the community. The downside of the long daily commute is the lack of time to enjoy such things as the gym and after work activities. Leaving early and getting home later makes for long and tiring days.
Rental Affordability Snapshot 2025