Report
Australian Renter Survey 2026: What Renters Really, Really Want
April 21, 2026 12 Minute Read
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Renting is increasingly a long-term housing choice in Australia. With around 1.6 million people now renting apartments or flats, affordability pressures and later household formation are reshaping renter behaviour and expectations across the residential market.
The Australian Renter Survey 2026, produced by CBRE Research in collaboration with REA Group, combines survey insights, search behaviour and market data to examine renter preferences, tenure intentions and decision-making across Australia’s rental markets.
Key Insights
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Meet the Australian renter
Around 1.6 million Australians now rent apartments or flats, and the renter profile continues to broaden. Later home formation is clearly reflected, with close to 300,000 renters aged 35 to 44. Renters are also more financially diverse than often assumed, with over a third earning more than $100,000 a year. Lone person and sole parent households make up over 51% of apartment renters, with couples and flatmates making up a further 35%. -
Price and location are equally important
Rent and location sit side by side as the primary drivers of rental choice. At a building level, security and parking are clear priorities, followed by pet-friendly accommodation. REA Group search data reinforces this hierarchy, with pet-friendly, furnished and undercover parking among the most searched rental terms nationally. -
Established inner-city suburbs dominate renter search intent
Proximity to work or education, affordability and access to public transport are the leading drivers of suburb selection. This is reflected consistently in search behaviour, with established inner-city locations dominating renter demand across major markets. Surry Hills and Sydney City lead in New South Wales, Melbourne City and Richmond in Victoria, and Brisbane City and New Farm in Queensland. -
Renters are increasingly settled and financially resilient
Rent growth has been uneven but material across Australian cities. Perth recorded the largest five-year increase, followed by Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Despite sustained cost pressures, renters are showing financial resilience. 68% fund rent through salary alone or with supplementary income. More than half would remain in their current rental if rent increased by $50 per week, and 24% plan to stay for five years or more. -
Share housing is a necessity, not a lifestyle choice
Share housing is largely driven by affordability rather than lifestyle choice. 45% of share house renters entered a shared arrangement because living alone was not financially viable, while others are influenced by flexibility requirements or competitive rental conditions. Given the choice, 65% of share house renters indicate a clear preference for living independently.
Expert Perspective
Proximity to work, schools and transport are driving suburb selection, with established inner-city locations continuing to dominate search activity across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Rent growth over the past decade has been significant across most markets, and renters are feeling it. Two-thirds of share house renters told us they'd prefer to live alone, but right now that's just not an option for many of them.
This survey reinforces what we're hearing on the ground. Beyond price and location, rental choice is anchored by core essentials like security, parking, and pet-friendliness and increasingly, on stability. With nearly a quarter of renters planning to stay put for five or more years, households are viewing renting as a long-term solution.