22  Oct 2025

Australia’s first renter confidence index reveals concerns over rent, retaliation and safety for 1.5 million Victorians

The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) has launched Australia’s first Renter Confidence Index at Parliament House together with the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs and industry representatives. CPRC developed the Renter Confidence Index (RCI) as a new tool to inform and guide rental market regulation and reform.

The RCI will provide a regular check on consumer sentiment and satisfaction in a market that provides an essential service to more than a third of all Victorians.

The inaugural RCI found that only one in six (16%) Victorian renters had high confidence in the rental market (indicating high satisfaction and no major tenancy issues).

Almost four in five (79%) had encountered at least one significant tenancy issue in the past 12 months.

Many believe their properties don’t meet minimum property standards, but feel unable to raise issues due to fear of consequences, like losing their home or receiving a poor reference in their next property search.

The two groups struggling the most in Victoria’s rental market are single renters on lower incomes and renting families with children. Families on lower incomes who rent had an average confidence rating of only 54 out of 100.

Despite the high number of renters facing tenancy challenges, only 52% made a complaint, and only 2% pursued their issue to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). 39% reported not raising their tenancy issue or giving up on seeking a resolution.

The three top areas of concern for renters were:

• Regulation of rent increases
• Enforcement of minimum property standards
• Fair financial compensation when landlords breach tenancy laws and agreements

The full report is available at www.cprc.org.au

This report is the first release of the Renting in Reality research series, which will provide new data and insights about what works and what doesn’t in Victoria’s rental market.

Quotes attributable to Erin Turner – CEO, Consumer Policy Research Centre

“The Renter Confidence Index will benchmark and track rates of rental problems and renter confidence for the first time.

“This tool is designed to help regulators and governments make the rental system stronger. The inaugural Renter Confidence Index shows that the work the Victorian Government is doing to standardise application processes and strengthen bond claims is much needed and will help renters.

“The results show Victoria’s 1.5 million renters are struggling with rent increases, unsafe properties and the difficulty of enforcing existing laws. It remains a poorly understood market despite providing an essential service to more than a third of Victorians. This tool will unlock huge opportunities for renters, landlords, real estate agents and regulators.”

Quotes attributable to Jenny Davidson – CEO, Council of Single Mothers and their Children

“Single mothers are among the most reliable renters, often spending over half their income just to keep a stable roof over their children’s heads. We need a rental system that upholds dignity and fairness for all renters, including families.

“The stress of insecure housing is relentless. It affects mental health, parenting, children’s education and the ability to plan. Supports that reduce that stress, like stable leases, fair rent, and responsive systems, make a real difference to everyone involved in the renting landscape.”

Quotes attributable to Rachna Madaan Bowman – Head of Housing and Financial Wellbeing, South East Community Links

“We need tenancy systems that are culturally safe, accessible, and responsive to diverse needs. Policies that support financial stability, language access, and culturally appropriate services can transform the rental experience for all communities.”

“It’s about equity and making sure everyone has a fair shot at a safe, secure home. For new Australians, renting can be overwhelming. They’re navigating a new culture, language, and system – all while trying to secure a safe home.”

Quotes attributable to Madeline Cooper – Victorian renter

“It took eight months for repairs when my ceiling collapsed in the middle of the night. Renters should not need to become experts in rental law to get basic repairs that make their homes safe and secure. Renters should not be scared to raise issues because of the threat of uncapped rent rises or retaliatory evictions.”

“Minimum standards should not be aspirational, they should be actively enforced. Renters deserve safe homes and a system that backs them.”

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES 

CPRC
Liliana Campos
Communications Manager
T: +61 (0) 493 539 466
E: liliana.campos@cprc.org.au