Australia’s temporary visa population has grown to more than 2.8 million people – roughly 10 % of the nation’s residents. Despite this influx, housing support services for temporary visa holders have lagged behind the demand. Recent research from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), conducted in partnership with the University of South Australia, highlights the blind spot in housing provision and proposes concrete actions to close it.
Why Temporary Visa Holders Face Housing Stress
Policy Trends and the Growing Numbers
Since the 1990s, migration policy in Australia has shifted from a permanent‑visa‑centric model to a more flexible, temporary visa framework. The result is a persistent cohort of students, seasonal workers and skilled migrants who remain for years but are not covered by the same public housing safety nets. At the end of 2024, temporary visa holders represented 10.5 % of the population – a figure that has remained stable even as the city rental markets continue to tighten.
Lack of Support Services
Public policy and administrative structures have historically focused on permanent migrants and citizens. Temporary visa holders find themselves in a regulatory gray zone: they can rent privately but rarely qualify for subsidised housing, community housing or social housing programs. As a result, they are frequently forced to compete with the broader private market, where rent and deposit requirements often exceed what many can afford.
Research Findings: The Invisible Housing Crisis
Overcrowding and Unaffordability
AHURI’s analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that in 2021, approximately 20 % of temporary visa holders reported living in overcrowded conditions, compared with just 7 % of the general population. When combined with the wage profile of many temporary migrants, this creates a significant risk of hidden homelessness.
Underrepresentation in Housing Programs
Only 1.6 % of temporary visa holders rented social or community housing in 2021, despite many earning wages that rival local averages. Interviews with housing providers revealed that most “support” effort was channeled through churches or volunteer organisations, which are often under‑funded and operate outside the formal regulatory framework.
Risk Groups Most Vulnerable
Women Facing Domestic Abuse
Women on temporary visas who experience domestic abuse encounter a double barrier: they are ineligible for established shelter or crisis accommodation designed for women fleeing violence, and their visa status may jeopardise other assistance programs. This creates a silent crisis of unfounded vulnerability.
International Students
International students depend heavily on informal networks – such as peer forums and campus housing groups – to find accommodation. These channels can expose them to fraudulent listings or inflated rents and often lack the dispute resolution mechanisms that are standard in the mainstream market.
Recommendations to Close the Housing Gap
Expand Government Services
Both national and state governments should review eligibility criteria for subsidised housing. A streamlined path that includes temporary visa holders – based on income, visa type, and duration of stay – would significantly reduce the percentage of individuals living in scarcity.
Strengthen Local Hubs and Support Networks
Funder agencies such as the Centre for Labour, Migration and Skills Education (CELUSA) can play a pivotal role by investing in community hubs that provide legal advice, tenancy rights education, and financial counselling. Grants that target these hubs would increase capacity to assist migrants during the early, most precarious stages of their settlement.
Regulate Host Accommodation
Services that facilitate “host” arrangements, like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, should introduce performance audits and compliance reporting. This would help prevent exploitation while ensuring safe, affordable housing is available for those who rely on temporary‑work agreements.
What This Means for Australian Communities
Ensuring that temporary visa holders can secure stable housing has a ripple effect on the economy and social cohesion. When individuals are not forced to under‑pay rent or live in sub‑standard conditions, they can focus on their studies or work, contributing to productivity and cultural exchange. Moreover, robust housing support reduces the likelihood of “hidden homelessness,” thereby averting costly emergency services intervention.
Take Action Today
- Explore housing support resources for temporary visa holders
- Get involved with local housing initiatives
- Contact the UniSA Student Support team for personalised advice
- Report housing concerns and help improve policy
By participating in community discussions, sharing personal experience, or engaging with municipal planners, temporary visa holders and the local population can collaboratively address the housing blind spot highlighted by AHURI research. Together, we can build a more inclusive, stable housing landscape that benefits all members of Australian society.
