Perth has held onto a title no city really wants: one of the least affordable places to rent in Australia. Kath Snell, CEO of Shelter WA, explains that while Western Australia can look attractive on paper, once rent is compared to income the picture changes quickly. The average Perth household earns around $100,000 a year, with roughly 32% of that income going straight to rent, putting many households on or over the threshold for housing stress. In regional WA, average incomes are higher at about $170,000, but rents still take around 28% of earnings, so the pressure is widespread.
How Did It Get So Unaffordable?
A big part of the problem is simple: there are not enough affordable rentals for the people who need them. Demand has outstripped supply after decades of under‑investment in affordable and social housing, and even though governments are trying to catch up, new homes cannot be built overnight. Unlike the ACT, WA does not have a rent cap, so while rents can typically only be increased once a year, how much they go up is largely up to landlords. For those on low or fixed incomes, this can be devastating. A single pensioner, for example, may be paying around 86% of their income on rent, forcing impossible choices like cutting back on food, medication, or heating just to keep a roof overhead.
Who Is Struggling Most?
In the past, people who could not afford city rents might have moved to regional areas, but that safety valve has largely disappeared. Many regional centres now show similar or worse levels of rental stress, especially in high‑demand tourist locations like Busselton and Bunbury, or popular lifestyle towns where vacancies are extremely low. While regional incomes can be higher for certain jobs, households are still spending close to 28% of their income on rent, and in some pockets the situation is classed as outright unaffordable. For many lower‑income renters, there is simply nowhere cheap to go.
The Impact of Short‑Stay Rentals
Short‑stay accommodation has made things even tougher in coastal and tourist regions. There are more than 10,000 properties operating as short‑term rentals, such as holiday homes and online booking platforms, while far fewer are available for long‑term tenants. That imbalance pushes up prices and makes it harder for workers to live locally. It is not just hospitality that suffers when staff cannot find housing—schools, hospitals, community services and local businesses all struggle to attract and retain employees if there are no affordable homes for them to rent.
What Can Renters Do If They Face Discrimination?
Some renters, including pensioners and other vulnerable groups, experience discrimination in the rental market. Kath encourages anyone facing unfair treatment—such as being repeatedly overlooked or feeling targeted because of age, income source or family situation—to contact their local Member of Parliament. Writing an email or letter helps put a human story in front of decision‑makers and adds weight to calls for change. It is also worth reaching out to local councils or tenant advocacy services to document what is happening and seek advice on rights and options.
What Needs to Change?
Shelter WA is calling for structural changes so housing is treated as a human right, not just an investment. Their recommendations to the state government include building around 5,000 affordable homes each year, introducing some form of rent capping to provide stability, and tightening rules around short‑stay rentals so more properties return to the long‑term market. They also want to see clear minimum standards so no one is forced to live in unsafe or unsuitable conditions. There are early signs of progress, but the scale of the crisis means much more needs to be done to create a WA where ordinary renters can find a secure, affordable place to call home.
Listen to Doug’s conversation with Kath here!