While the JobSeeker supplement has slightly improved rental affordability for Newstart households, recipients are still facing moderate to extreme rental stress nationwide, according to the latest release of the Rental Affordability Index (RAI).

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$3,011
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
4.6 Star Customer Ratings
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Quick and easy online application process.
Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
Apply in minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,899
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Flexibility to split your loan with both fixed and variable rates
Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

The RAI measures the price of rents relative to household incomes based on new rental agreements and is released annually by National Shelter, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, SGS Economics & Planning and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. 

Despite rents falling in many capital cities during COVID, the index found rental affordability has worsened for about 755,000 new JobSeeker recipients who are spending between 42% to 69% of their incomes on rent in every capital city.

Housing stress in this instance is defined as spending more than 30% of gross income on rent repayments.

"Despite JobSeeker being a welcome boost to many low-income renters, it was not enough to lift them out of rental stress," said Adrian Pisarski, Executive Officer, National Shelter.

"This shows the depth of our rental affordability problem, where even with doubled income support, there is not one place in Australia where a JobSeeker recipient can rent affordably."

Mr Pisarski said the rental affordability crisis could tip many Australians into homelessness without government intervention.

“As the Victorian Government has now done, there is a massive need for government investment in social and affordable housing – and now is the time for it since borrowing costs are so low in Australia. Without investment in this space, we are ignoring our responsibility to help people be decently housed," he said. 

"Now is not the time to pass the buck of responsibility for building social housing between the Commonwealth and States; a truly national effort is required.

"If there is no action, the net result of our housing system failures will be a dramatic increase in homelessness."

The JobSeeker rate is set to be reduced by $100 a fortnight on January 1, to be roughly the equivalent of about $50 a day, which is considered to be below the poverty line. 

The national poverty line is $457 a week ($65 a day) according to the Australian Council of Social Service definition.

In an article published by The Conversation yesterday, 24 out of 45 Australian economists surveyed think JobSeeker should be increased by at least $100 a week. 

Screen Shot 2020-12-01 at 11.13.32 am

Source: The Conversation

Two-thirds of those surveyed want JobSeeker to increase in line with wages.

SGS Economics & Planning partner Ellen Witte said already vulnerable Australians are finding themselves on the brink of poverty, but the pandemic has created an opportunity to push them out of it.

“With the Government now reducing JobSeeker allowances dramatically, and the economy not (re)creating jobs, many households are being trapped in a poverty cycle, seeking affordable rents in areas further away from jobs and services," Ms White said. 

"There is a real opportunity to use the current recession to build a stronger future.

"With low interest rates, high unemployment and an increase of demand for affordable housing, this is the time to invest in social housing. And at the same time, people can be brought back into jobs.

“An investment of about $7.8 billion would create 15,500 to 18,000 jobs over four years and add 30,000 dwellings to our social housing stock and refurbish aged stock."

Photo by Jonathan Rados on Unsplash





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