Australia's rental market remains ultra‑tight as women turn to shared housing

National vacancy rates held at 1.2% in May 2026, with every capital city recording vacancy rates below 2%, keeping rental supply extremely limited. Advertised rents rose 7.8% over the past year, with the national average combined rent reaching $700 per week and $797 in capital cities. Sydney, Perth and Darwin were among the most expensive markets, while Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart also faced historic low vacancy levels.

Amid this tight market, a growing number of Australian women are seeking long‑term shared housing after divorce, relocation or financial pressure. In April 2026, founder Jane Doe launched SheShare, a women‑only flat‑mate platform that uses compatibility matching to improve safety and wellbeing. The startup, built without venture capital, aims to address the lack of infrastructure for women navigating shared rentals, offering a trusted community for those rebuilding their lives.