Arabic version: تواجه تسمانيا نقصًا حادًا في الإيجارات مع انخفاض القوائم
Tasmania is experiencing a significant decline in available rental properties, with a recent report from Anglicare Tasmania revealing a 9 percent drop in listings compared to last year. This alarming trend has led to the state having less than half the number of vacant rentals it had a decade ago. As of March this year, only 770 rental properties were available, down from 1,588 ten years prior. The rental vacancy rate has also remained below 1 percent for over a year, indicating a severe mismatch between demand and supply.
According to ABC News, experts attribute the rental shortage to three main factors: population growth, insufficient housing supply, and the rise of short-stay accommodations. Peter Phibbs, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney, noted that Tasmania’s population surged by nearly 12 percent from 2015 to 2025, placing additional strain on the already tight rental market.
Despite this growth, Tasmania’s population increase has slowed significantly, with a mere 0.28 percent rise recorded over the past year. This stagnation is partly due to more people leaving the state than moving in, coupled with low levels of overseas migration.
Experts agree that the core issue lies in the lack of new housing developments. Tasmania has been ranked last in the country for building activity, according to the Housing Industry Association’s National Housing Scorecard. The state has not been able to keep pace with the demand for new homes, particularly medium-density housing, which is lacking in the market.
Additionally, the rise of short-stay accommodations, such as those listed on Airbnb, has further reduced the number of properties available for long-term rent. In 2024, there were 3,918 short-stay homes in Tasmania, a significant increase from 2019. While some experts caution against overemphasizing this factor, they acknowledge that every home converted to short-term rental is one less available for residents seeking long-term housing.
