Unions NSW has welcomed a parliamentary report into essential worker housing and called for a levy on short-term rentals to help fund housing for workers.
The enquiry, chaired by Alex Greenwich MP, today found a critical lack of homes is threatening the delivery of essential services.
“We strongly endorse the findings of this enquiry which highlight the urgent need for action to provide homes for essential workers,” said Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey.
The enquiry found essential workers face additional challenges securing long-term housing because of the impacts of the short-term rental market.
“Essential workers are being forced out of their communities because investors can make more money putting their properties on sites like AirBnb than renting them out long term,” said Mr Morey.
“This is forcing the workers our communities rely on into excessive commutes, financial stress or even homelessness.
“To help alleviate the critical housing supply shortage, the NSW Government should match Victoria’s 7.5% levy on short-term rental stays and invest the revenue into essential worker housing.
“This is a common-sense approach that would make a positive difference. The Government promised to tackle housing affordability. We now need to see action.”
A survey of frontline workers in NSW found 78% are in housing stress, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. This is exacerbated by the fact that as of March 2024, 167,955 dwellings across Australia were being used for unhosted short-term rentals. In Sydney, Airbnb listings are occupied on average for only 71 nights per year, yet they continue to drive up property prices. Of the Airbnbs in Sydney, more than 30% are run by investors with 10 or more listings.
Unions NSW also proposed large-scale build-to-rent-to-buy programs, and a 60-day statewide cap on unhosted short-term rental stays.
Unions NSW welcomes the report’s adaptable definition of an essential worker that reflects the needs of each community rather than automatically excluding any particular types of workers.
Contact details:
Charlie Moore: 0452 606 171
