Rental money is understandably one of your biggest concerns as you plan your move to Australia. The problem is that what you see online may differ from what you experience on the ground.
So here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about budgeting for rent, based on our almost 18 years of helping people relocate.
Is Rent in Australia Expensive?
Yes, and it’s getting more expensive. Capital city rents are averaging $790 per week as of April 2026. This figure is up 6.6% over the past year and has grown at an average of 6-7% annually over the past decade.
Sydney remains the most expensive city by a wide margin. Melbourne is still one of the more affordable capitals for house rents, though it’s no longer the bargain it once was. Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth—long considered affordable alternatives—have seen some of the sharpest rent increases in recent years and are quickly closing the gap with the major cities.
How Much Money Do I Need to Rent in Australia?
The golden rule used by estate agents across Australia is that your rent should not exceed 30% of your gross income. Otherwise, you’ll experience rental stress.
In practice, if you’re renting in Sydney, where the combined weekly rent is $915.30, you’d need to earn at least $160,000 a year to stay under that 30% threshold.
Beyond meeting the 30% threshold, estate agents also want to see that you can sustain payments over time. Having healthy savings in your bank account, ideally enough to cover several months’ rent and other living expenses, will significantly strengthen your application. You can also offer to pay three to four months upfront. Both of these help when you’re up against local applicants with a credit history.
Currency check: If you’re arriving from a country with a weaker currency, what feels like a large sum back home may not go as far in Australia. Always convert your savings into Australian dollars before assessing how competitive your financial position is.
Can I Get an Apartment in Australia Without a Job?
It’s difficult, but not impossible. This is where your savings matter significantly.
Having more than $35,000 AUD puts you in a credible position, though you don’t necessarily need $100,000. It depends on who you’re competing against.
A dual-income household where each partner earns $100,000 a year will be tough to beat on paper, though they may not be ready to move quickly or commit to a long lease.
Eighteen years of relocations have taught us what estate agents want to see. We know how to present your application and circumstances so that the absence of local employment history doesn’t count against you. You’re welcome to reach out for a chat.
Most agents expect at least a one-year lease commitment. If you’re arriving with no savings and no job, find temporary accommodation first and secure work before entering the rental market.
What Is Required to Rent in Australia?
Australia uses a 100-point identification system for rental applications. Each document you provide is assigned a point value, and the total must be at least 100 points. For example:
Document | Points |
Passport | 70 |
Driver’s licence | 40 |
Birth certificate | 30 |
Medicare card | 25 |
Bank card or utility bill | 25 |
Beyond identification, your application will need:
- Proof of income. Recent payslips, an employment contract, or bank statements showing regular income. If you’ve just arrived, an offer letter from your employer or proof of funds transferred from your home country can substitute.
- Rental history. Previous lease agreements, rent receipts, or a reference letter from a former landlord, including overseas landlords, all help. If you’ve never rented before (say, you were a homeowner or lived with family), explain this in your cover letter.
- Personal references. Anyone who knows you well and can speak to your character, such as former neighbours, community leaders, or colleagues. Include their full name, relationship to you, and contact number.
- A cover letter. Use it to introduce yourself, explain your circumstances, and make the case for why you’ll be a reliable tenant. For migrants, it’s often what makes up for having no local rental or credit history.
- Visa documentation. Your visa details confirm your right to rent in Australia.
If you and your partner both have incomes, apply together. Two incomes give landlords confidence that if one of you loses your job, rent can still be paid.
Once approved, you’ll need to pay a bond—typically two weeks’ rent—plus two weeks of rent in advance when you sign the lease. An independent government authority holds the bond for the duration of your tenancy. You can get your rental bond back if you meet certain conditions.
How To Increase Your Chances of Securing a Rental
It helps to understand how the rental process works.
After open inspections, an estate agent shortlists the three to five strongest applications from everyone who inspected the property and presents them to the landlord. The landlord then makes the final call, not the agent.
Your goal is to make that shortlist and be the most compelling option on it.
A relocation agent like us can help you do that. Agents treat applications from relocation companies with greater credibility, knowing that these companies represent professionals. A relocation company can chase your application and help you get shortlisted. Speed is of the essence, so if you are in a different timezone, rather engage a local to help.
This is a huge advantage when you’re applying from offshore if your goal is to secure your home before you arrive and save you the cost of temporary accommodation.
But please note: no one can guarantee a property, but a relocation agent can improve your chances.
The Bottom Line
Whether you work with a relocation agent or go it alone, preparation is what will help you succeed.
Again, our top tips are:
- Run the 30% rule on your income before you start viewing properties.
- Get your bank and income statements organised. Make sure they are well-documented.
- If you and your partner both have incomes, apply together.
- If you’re coming without a job, be honest in your cover letter about your situation and your plan. Just to reiterate, your savings matter significantly here.
The best properties get snapped up fast, so the earlier you have everything in order, the stronger your position.
How Personnel Relocations Can Help
Over 18 years and 1000+ relocations, we’ve maintained a 97% success rate in securing rentals for clients before they arrive.
This means almost every client we’ve worked with has stepped off the plane with a home already waiting. They didn’t have to pay for weeks of temporary accommodation or spend on fuel, rideshares, and meals out while driving between inspections.
Perhaps most importantly, they didn’t have to carry the stress of searching for a home in an unfamiliar city while jet-lagged and trying to start a new life.
That track record comes down to the relationships we’ve built with estate agents across the country and the credibility we carry as a company that consistently represents reliable, professional tenants.
That said, we can’t guarantee a property—no one can—but the numbers speak for themselves.
