Sydney rents hit a record high. What it means for Prospect renters
Median asking rents reached $850 a week for a house and $780 for a unit in the June quarter. Here is what I will fight for.
Priority 01
Affordable Housing matters
When your rent goes up, something else has to give: the weekly shop, a school excursion, a visit to the doctor. In Cumberland, 43 in every 100 homes are rented, so a rent rise is felt on almost every street. Everyone here deserves a home they can afford to stay in.
Why it matters
Rents are at a record high, and rentals are hard to find.
Sydney's median asking rent reached a record $850 a week for a house and $780 for a unit in the June quarter of 2026, and only 1.1 per cent of rentals are vacant. A ban on no-grounds evictions passed Parliament in 2024, after years of campaigning by renters, the Tenants' Union and Greens MP Jenny Leong. That was a real step forward. But nothing yet limits how much a rent can rise, and tens of thousands of households are still waiting for a public home.
What changes for people
A limit on rent rises, so you can plan your year.
More public and affordable homes in the suburbs where people already work, study and care for family.
Rentals that are dry, warm in winter and cheaper to run.
- 43.3%of homes in Cumberland are rented — about 31,000 homesSource: ABS Census 2021, Cumberland QuickStats
- $850Sydney's record median asking rent for a house, per week. Units: $780.Source: Domain Rent Report via Time Out Sydney, June quarter 2026
- 57,400households on the NSW social housing waitlist at 31 March 2024 — about 8,600 of them priority applicantsSource: The Nightly, 24 April 2024
What I am working towards
I will fight for
I want every family in Prospect to have a safe, secure home they can afford, close to work, school and family. These are the changes I will fight for, and what each one means for you.
A rent freeze now, then a cap on how much rent can rise
You know the most your rent can go up, so you can plan your year.
10,000 new public and social homes a year for 10 years, 100,000 in all
A real chance of a secure home for the families and older people stuck on the waitlist.
At least 30% ongoing affordable housing in every large new development
New apartment blocks and estates in our area set aside homes that stay affordable for good.
No sale of public housing, or of public land that could house people
Public land stays public and is used for homes.
Minimum standards for rentals, including no mould or damp and proper insulation and heating
A healthier home that costs less to heat and cool.
How it is paid for: a 5 per cent levy on homes left empty for more than six months, a higher land tax on large investor portfolios, and a new tax on the most expensive homes in the state. The money goes into public and affordable homes.
The result
a rent you can plan around, a public home within reach, and a rental that is safe and warm.
Related news
Affordable Housing updates
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On 5 September, residents met to discuss the state's rezoning proposal. We asked the Planning Minister for a 28-day extension and weekend drop-in sessions.
Because the people matter
Add your voice. Tell me what your last rent rise meant for your family.
Other priorities
Clean Energy
Cheaper power bills from public renewables, plus help to switch off gas.
Cost of Living
Free buses, trains and ferries, worth up to $2,600 a year to a weekly commuter.
Community & Care
Free public clinics for GP, mental health and dental care, close to home.