New research from Anglicare Australia has revealed that there are no affordable properties for hospitality workers in the ACT and only four affordable rentals for cleaners in the broader Canberra region.

The 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot - Essential Workers Report, released today as part of Anti-Poverty Week, surveyed more than 51,000 rental listings and tested them against the wages of sixteen essential occupations. The report found that essential workers are being priced out of the rental market in the ACT. 

Independent Member for Kurrajong, Thomas Emerson MLA, warned that without more targeted work on housing affordability, the ACT risked becoming a two-tiered society. 

“Canberra is a fantastic place to live if you can afford it, but an increasing number of full-time workers simply cannot afford housing in this city,” said Mr Emerson. 

“I’m hearing from young people who grew up in Canberra, essential workers, and many other demographics who are being forced to leave the ACT because they’re completely excluded from our housing market.

“Do we really want our city to become home only to people on high incomes or with familial wealth?

“Today’s figures stand in stark contrast to rhetoric from the ACT Government that Canberra is one of the most affordable jurisdictions in which to rent. That may be technically true when defining affordability based on median incomes, but it’s insulting to the many Canberrans who are part of a vital workforce on lower incomes.” 

Mr Emerson said the ACT Government needed to move more quickly to deliver on its commitment to increase the level of public and community housing as a proportion of total dwellings in the ACT, which he secured in his supply and confidence agreement with the Chief Minister. 

“We’re seeing record-low housing affordability and record-high public housing waitlist numbers. Given how many people can’t afford Canberra’s rental market, the Government needs to show real urgency in delivering on its commitment to increase the proportion of public and community housing in the ACT, which has declined steadily since self-government,” said Mr Emerson.

Mr Emerson highlighted the unique opportunity for the ACT Government to embrace innovative housing solutions, given the lack of local councils in the Territory.

“We need to get more creative with the use of government land, church land and disused office buildings for housing. There’s a desire from faith-based organisations, community housing providers and the private sector to pursue these opportunities, and we need the Government to come to the table as a willing partner,” said Mr Emerson.

“We should be harnessing innovations like modular housing, tiny homes and cohousing to provide more diverse and affordable housing options close to where people work and want to live.”

Mr Emerson noted that unaffordable housing also has an impact on Canberra’s night-time economy.

“Venue managers tell me they’re struggling to attract staff, and it’s no surprise when hospitality workers can’t afford housing in our city. Canberra’s night-time venues close earlier on average than venues in almost every other major city across Australia.”

Media Contact

Will Devine | [email protected] | 0402183296

Background

You can access Anglicare’s report here and media release here.