Leslie Massey
Social housing in Australia is rental housing funded or partly funded by the government, and it is intended for Australians who struggle to access housing in the private market. In 2022-23, around 824,000 Australians lived in social housing, with 446,000 dwellings available. The majority of social housing dwellings are public housing, with 67% of dwellings falling into this category. The number of people living in social housing in Australia is a topic of concern, with some commentators stating that Australia has a 'severe housing problem and that the number of social housing dwellings has not kept up with the overall growth in the number of households in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of social housing dwellings in Australia | 446,000 (as of June 2023) |
| Number of people living in social housing | 824,000 (in 2022-23) |
| Percentage of Australian households living in social housing | 3.8% (in 2021) |
| Percentage of Australian households that are on the waiting list for social housing | 6.1% (in 2021) |
| Number of applicants on the waiting list for public housing | 169,000 (as of June 2023) |
| Number of applicants on the waiting list for SOMIH | 15,100 (as of June 2023) |
| Number of applicants on the waiting list for community housing | 15,000 (as of June 2018) |
| Number of applicants on the waiting list for Indigenous community housing | Data not available (as of June 2018) |
| Percentage of social housing dwellings in Major cities | 76% (public housing), 66% (community housing) |
| Percentage of social housing dwellings in Very remote areas | 33% (SOMIH), 47% (Indigenous community housing) |
| Types of social housing | Public housing, SOMIH, Community housing, Indigenous community housing |
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What You'll Learn
Social housing demand and waiting lists
Social housing in Australia includes public housing, state-owned and managed Indigenous housing (SOMIH), community housing, and Indigenous community housing. In 2023, there were around 446,000 social housing dwellings in Australia, with about 824,000 Australians living in social housing. However, the demand for social housing exceeds the supply, with a growing number of households on waiting lists.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) National Housing Assistance Data Repository (NHADR) provides valuable insights into the demand for social housing and waiting lists. As of June 2023, there were approximately 169,000 households on the waiting list for public housing, a significant increase from 155,000 in June 2014. The number of households waiting for SOMIH dwellings has also risen, with 15,100 on the waiting list as of June 2023, up from 8,000 in June 2014. These numbers highlight the increasing demand for social housing options, particularly in the public and SOMIH sectors.
The overall growth in social housing households has not kept pace with the overall growth in Australian households. Between 2011 and 2023, the number of social housing households increased from 404,000 to 423,000. During the same period, the total number of Australian households rose from 8.4 million to 10.3 million. As a result, the proportion of social housing households as a percentage of all households has declined, dropping from 4.8% in 2011 to 4.1% in 2023. This trend indicates that the supply of social housing has not kept up with the growing need for affordable housing options.
The demand for social housing varies across different states and territories in Australia. For instance, in June 2025, there were 65,569 households on the waiting list for social housing in New South Wales (NSW), with 11,525 priority-approved and 54,044 general-approved applicants. The median waiting time for priority applicants in NSW during this period was 4.0 months. These numbers highlight the pressing need for social housing in certain regions and the varying levels of demand across Australia.
While Australia's level of social housing is lower than that of some comparable countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, it is important to consider the unique context and factors influencing the demand for social housing in Australia. Factors such as population growth, income levels, and government policies shape the demand for and availability of social housing. Therefore, addressing the demand for social housing in Australia requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the specific needs and challenges of the country.
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Social housing locations
Social housing in Australia is provided by departments of state governments and includes public housing, state-owned and managed Indigenous housing (SOMIH), community housing, and Indigenous community housing. In 2023, there were around 446,000 social housing dwellings in Australia, accommodating around 824,000 Australians.
The location of social housing in Australia largely reflects the geographic distribution of the population, with large concentrations in urban centres on the southeast and east coasts. The majority of public and community housing dwellings are in major cities (76% and 66% respectively), while most SOMIH and Indigenous community housing dwellings are in very remote areas (33% and 47% respectively).
In 2023, the Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportion of public housing dwellings (87%), while Tasmania had the lowest (34%). Tasmania had the highest proportion of community housing dwellings (65%), while the Northern Territory had the lowest (4.5%). New South Wales had the highest number of Indigenous community housing dwellings, increasing from 4,700 in 2014 to 6,500 in 2023.
Within each social housing program, dwelling types have remained stable over time. As of June 2023, most public housing dwellings were separate houses (37%) or flats/apartments (35%). Half of all community housing dwellings were flats/apartments (50%), followed by separate houses (29%). SOMIH dwellings were predominantly separate houses (82%), with a smaller proportion being semi-detached or townhouses (15%).
Social housing properties are grouped into preferred areas, and applicants cannot choose a specific suburb to live in. However, they can select up to five preferred areas consisting of neighbouring suburbs and towns linked by public transport. Applicants can also request housing near specific medical facilities if needed for their health.
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Social housing types
Social housing in Australia is government-subsidised rental housing, which is available to people on very low incomes who have experienced homelessness, family violence, or other complex needs. It is made up of two types of housing: public housing and community housing.
Public Housing
Public housing is owned and managed by state and territory governments. It is provided by departments of state governments and operates within the framework of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, where funding is provided by both federal and state governments. Rents for public housing are calculated at 25 to 30% of the household's income, and if this exceeds the local market rent for the property, then the local market rent is applied. In 2023, there were 298,000 public housing dwellings in Australia, down from 341,000 in 2006. Public housing in Australia has traditionally been of two main types: inner-city medium to high-rise apartments, and low-density townhouses or fully detached houses on master-planned estates located on the suburban fringes of cities and towns.
Community Housing
Community housing is managed and often owned by not-for-profit organisations. Community housing tenants are eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA), and as charities, not-for-profit community housing providers do not pay GST on rents that are less than 75% of local market rents. In 2023, there were 114,000 community housing dwellings in Australia, up from 30,100 in 2006.
Indigenous Community Housing
Indigenous Community Housing is a separate category of social housing in Australia. In 2023, there were 19,000 Indigenous community housing dwellings, down from 22,200 in 2006. In 2023, Tasmania had the highest rate of occupancy for Indigenous Community Housing (99%), with the lowest rate in Western Australia (87%).
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Social housing history
Social housing in Australia has a long history, with its roots in the early 20th century. At the turn of the century, there was an international movement to reform housing from a social perspective, but this was not a priority for the newly formed federal government, which considered it a state matter. Despite this, the NSW government addressed public housing with the Housing Act of 1912, planning the first public housing estates in Australia. Introduced by state treasurer Roland Dacey, these estates were intended to offer people "healthy conditions for living".
During the Great Depression, unemployment in Australia rose to over 30%, leading to an increase in poverty and a lack of new housing stock. This left many workers at the mercy of private landlords, who had the legal right to confiscate renters' belongings to cover unpaid rent. As a result, many urban renters resorted to living in informal settlements and "slums", such as Melbourne's Dudley Flats. The poor social conditions during this time sparked protests from the working class and criticism from reformists.
In the 1930s, there was growing pressure for housing reform, with reports commissioned by federal and state governments highlighting the ineffectiveness of finance schemes directed towards home ownership in improving the housing situation for the working class. This led to the establishment of various housing divisions and trusts, such as the Tasmanian Government's housing division via the Agricultural Bank in 1935, the South Australian Housing Trust in 1937, and the Victorian Housing Commission in 1938.
World War II further impacted the housing market, and in 1943, the Commonwealth Housing Commission was established. The Commission promoted housing as a right for all Australians, particularly targeting low-income workers. Under the first Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) from 1945 to 1956, public housing stock nationwide increased significantly. However, during this period, federal money was gradually diverted away from public housing, marking the end of the golden age of public housing in Australia.
Since then, there has been a shift towards privatisation and community and social housing models, with government policies aiming to sell public homes to the private market. This has led to campaigns advocating for the construction of new public housing dwellings and the preservation of existing ones. While public housing in Australia has traditionally been a core component of housing policy for lower-income earners, it now accounts for a small and shrinking proportion of all dwellings, with a focus on transitioning to community housing providers.
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Social housing vs private housing
Social housing in Australia is defined as state-owned and managed public housing or community-managed housing. Social housing is designed for individuals with the greatest need and very low incomes. It is subsidised accommodation that provides both short-term and long-term rental options for households that cannot afford to secure suitable accommodation on their own. According to the 2021 Census, 3.8% of Australian households live in social housing, which equates to around 824,000 people living in 446,000 social housing dwellings.
Private housing, on the other hand, is owned and rented out by private landlords. During the Great Depression in Australia, unemployment rose to over 30%, and the lack of new housing stock left many workers at the mercy of private landlords. At the time, private landlords had the legal right to take the belongings of renters as ransom for unpaid rent. This resulted in many urban renters turning to slums for shelter, such as Melbourne's Dudley Flats.
In contrast to social housing, affordable housing serves a wider spectrum of income levels, from low to moderate earners. Affordable housing projects can include new housing for purchase, or they can implement strategies to encourage the private market to supply new housing for rent or sale. There is a critical need for affordable rental housing in Australia, with 80% of very low-income households renting in the private market experiencing housing stress and spending more than 30% of their income on rent.
The Australian government has recognised the need for more social and affordable housing and is creating a National Housing and Homelessness Plan. This plan aims to encourage the provision of the right types of housing in the right places, prioritising rental housing that is affordable for very low and low-income households in areas close to employment and amenities. Government policies and subsidies are also in place to promote affordable housing in the private rental market, encouraging landlords to offer well-maintained properties with good security of tenure.
While social housing is intended for those with the greatest need, affordable housing targets a broader range of low to moderate-income earners. Social housing provides stability and support for society's most vulnerable, while affordable housing in the private market can help prevent housing stress for those who earn just enough to afford market-rate rent.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2022-23, around 824,000 Australians lived in social housing.
Social housing households account for between 3.8% and 4.2% of all Australian households, though this figure has been declining over the last 40 years.
The four main types of social housing in Australia are public housing, state-owned and managed Indigenous housing (SOMIH), community housing, and Indigenous community housing.
