Homelessness in Australia: Causes, Statistics and Support

How Australia Defines Homelessness

The way Australia measures and defines homelessness matters because it determines who is counted, who is visible in data, and who qualifies for support. The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses a cultural definition built on three dimensions. First, the physical structure of the dwelling is inadequate. Second, the person has no security of tenure, or only a short, non-extendable stay. Third, the person lacks control over, and access to space for, social relations.

This definition is broader than the common image of someone sleeping rough on the street. Situations that fit this definition include temporary stays with friends, overcrowded dwellings, and boarding houses or motels with no secure alternative.

Understanding this definition matters when seeking support. People who currently have a roof over their heads may still meet this definition. They may be eligible for specialist homelessness services without meeting a higher threshold. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, the services described in our emergency housing guide can assess your circumstances without requiring you to meet a specific threshold first.

Homelessness Statistics Australia 2024-25

Current national data comes from two sources: the ABS 2021 Census (a single-night snapshot) and AIHW’s annual Specialist Homelessness Services report (a full-year count of people accessing services).

The 2024-25 AIHW SHS report counted around 289,000 clients, a rate of 106.3 per 10,000 population. Of those, 51% (around 139,000) were at risk of experiencing homelessness when they first presented to a service, rather than already homeless. Around 110,000 requests for help went unmet in 2023-24 due to service capacity constraints.

Australia’s ABS homelessness rate was 48.2 per 10,000 population in 2021, a slight decrease from 49.8 per 10,000 in 2016. Worth noting: the 2021 Census was conducted during COVID-19 restrictions. State and territory governments were actively working with homelessness providers to place people sleeping rough into temporary accommodation. This context may have affected the count and should be considered when comparing figures across years.

Six Types of Homelessness in Australia

The ABS defines six operational categories of homelessness. Each captures a different form of housing precariousness, and each carries different risks and challenges for the people experiencing it.

People living in severely crowded dwellings made up the largest single group in the 2021 Census, at 39.1% of all people experiencing homelessness. Overcrowded dwellings represent homelessness that is frequently invisible in public discourse. Many people in this situation do not seek help, leading to significant underreporting in service data. The remaining groups break down as follows according to 2021 Census data:

• Severely crowded dwellings: 39.1% of homeless population. Dwellings that require four or more additional bedrooms to meet minimum standards. Most common in remote First Nations communities.
• Supported accommodation for the homeless: 19.8%. Short-term or crisis accommodation managed by specialist homelessness services. Includes women’s refuges and crisis shelters.
• Boarding houses: 18.1%. Commercial or charitable boarding houses where the occupant has no security of tenure and lives communally with others they do not know.
• Staying temporarily with other households: 13.5%. Couch surfing, staying with relatives or friends without a long-term arrangement. Common among young people and women leaving family violence.
• Improvised dwellings, tents, sleeping rough: 6.2%. The most visible form of homelessness. Cars, tents, parks, doorways. Often what people picture when they hear the word homeless.
• Other temporary lodging: 3.2%. Hotels, motels, emergency motel placements, caravan parks used as temporary housing with no stable next step.

What Causes Homelessness in Australia?

Homelessness is rarely caused by a single factor. Research consistently shows it results from the intersection of structural barriers and individual vulnerabilities, both of which need to be addressed for lasting solutions.

Homelessness Australia’s analysis of AIHW monthly data identified the top four reasons people sought help in June 2025:

Structural Causes

Behind these immediate triggers sit structural factors that create the conditions for homelessness. The social housing stock in Australia has declined from around 6% of all housing in the 1980s to about 4.1% in 2024 (AIHW). Over the same period, median advertised rents rose by approximately 48% in the 10 years to March 2025 (CoreLogic/AIHW). Around 1.3 million low-income households were in housing stress in 2024-25, spending more than 30% of their disposable income on housing (AIHW). Income support payments have not kept pace with these increases. Zero rental listings were affordable for someone on Youth Allowance in a 2025 survey of over 8,600 properties across Southeast Queensland (Anglicare Southern Queensland).

Individual Risk Factors

Individual circumstances that increase vulnerability to homelessness include mental health conditions, disability, substance misuse, trauma, low educational attainment, and a history of institutional involvement. These do not cause homelessness in isolation. They increase a person’s vulnerability when structural conditions are already poor. Among 110,200 SHS clients experiencing homelessness at the start of their first support period in 2021-22, 37% had a current mental health issue. A further 33% were experiencing family and domestic violence (AIHW).

The Link Between Domestic Violence and Homelessness

Family and domestic violence is the most common single reason people seek homelessness assistance in Australia. It accounts for a disproportionate share of requests from women and children. Research from the Healthy Housing Centre of Research Excellence shows that housing unaffordability increases the risk of domestic and family violence. Women in insecure housing are less likely to leave a perpetrator, and more likely to return if they do leave. The threat of homelessness functions as an implicit pressure point that shapes choices and limits the ability to resist coercion.

Nhanya Foundation’s Assertive Outreach and Stabilisation Program works with women and children in this situation. Support is relationship-based, non-judgmental, and does not require someone to have already left or engaged with formal services.

Who Is Most Affected by Homelessness in Australia?

Homelessness does not affect all Australians equally. Several groups face substantially elevated risk due to a combination of structural disadvantage, reduced access to income and services, and specific life circumstances.

Key patterns from Census 2021 and the 2024-25 AIHW SHS report:

• 56% of people experiencing homelessness on Census night 2021 were male, though the gap has been narrowing over successive Censuses as female homelessness rises.
• Women now make up 44% of those experiencing homelessness, up from previous years, driven primarily by domestic and family violence and older women’s economic disadvantage.
• Young people aged 12-24 account for 23% of the homeless population. The rate for 19-24 year olds was 91 per 10,000 in 2021, nearly double the national average.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face homelessness at a rate of around 307 per 10,000, compared to 48 per 10,000 for all Australians.
• People aged 55 and over experiencing homelessness increased by 30.4% between 2011 and 2021, with the increase greater for older women (37.4%) than men (26.7%).
• People with problematic drug or alcohol issues are among those most likely to be experiencing homelessness at the beginning of their SHS support period (61% of that cohort in 2024-25).

Youth Homelessness in Australia

Young people aged 12-24 are overrepresented in Australia’s homeless population relative to their share of the general population. On Census night 2021, around 46,000 people under 25 were experiencing homelessness. In 2023-24, around 115,000 people under 25 accessed specialist homelessness services.

In 2024-25, SHS agencies assisted around 40,500 children and young people receiving support alone. Among young people aged 18-24 receiving support alone, 69% (approximately 20,400) needed accommodation-related assistance. The rate of children and young people receiving support alone was 91 per 10,000, the highest among all SHS client groups (AIHW).

Why Young People Become Homeless

Youth homelessness has multiple drivers. Family and domestic violence, family breakdown, and financial hardship are among the most common. Lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges, and inadequate support for young people leaving out-of-home care also contribute significantly (Anglicare Southern Queensland, 2025). Around 48% of young people seeking homelessness support in 2023-24 had a current mental health issue. A high proportion of these young people, 45% of those aged 15-24 presenting alone, were still experiencing homelessness when their support ended in 2023-24. This reflects significant gaps in available housing and ongoing support capacity (AIHW).

The Rental Market and Youth

Young people face particular barriers in the private rental market. Of 45,895 rental listings surveyed in 2024, zero were affordable for a person receiving Youth Allowance (Stepping Stone House, citing AIHW and market data). Couch surfing, described as staying temporarily with friends or acquaintances, is now among the most common forms of youth homelessness. It is largely invisible in public data and often underestimated in service planning.

For young people leaving foster care or residential care, the transition to adulthood and independent housing is particularly precarious. Our guide to foster care in Australia covers the leaving care supports available and why early planning is critical. Nhanya’s Skills for Life and Independence Program supports young people building the practical capacity to sustain independent living.

First Nations People and Homelessness in Australia

The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in homelessness is not a coincidence or a recent trend. It is the ongoing product of colonisation, dispossession, and forced removal from Country and family. Systemic failures in housing, health, and income support have compounded the harm across generations.

Key figures from Homelessness Australia’s National Homelessness Facts 2025 and AIHW data:

• Nearly 1 in 3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over have experienced homelessness in their lifetime (NATSIHS).
• On Census night 2021, around 25,000 First Nations people were without a home, a 6.4% increase since 2016 (ABS).
• First Nations people make up 3.8% of Australia’s population but 28% of specialist homelessness service clients (AIHW).
• First Nations people are 8.8 times more likely to experience homelessness than non-Indigenous Australians.
• Persistent homelessness is rising faster among First Nations SHS clients, up 46% since 2019-20, compared to 25% across all clients (AIHW).
• 9.5% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households need at least one additional bedroom, rising to 24% in remote areas (NATSIHS).
• An estimated 18,342 additional houses are needed to address First Nations homelessness and overcrowding (NATSIHS/NATSIHA).

For First Nations people, homelessness can also carry a spiritual dimension. Homelessness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can carry a spiritual dimension. The AIHW notes it can stem from disconnection from Country, separation from kinship networks, or lack of cultural heritage access. Effective responses to Indigenous homelessness must be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations. Deep cultural safety needs to be built into every aspect of service design and delivery.

Women and Homelessness in Australia

Women’s homelessness in Australia has a distinct pattern from men’s, driven heavily by domestic and family violence and, increasingly, by the economic vulnerability of older women.

Women now make up 44% of people experiencing homelessness in Australia, a figure that has grown consistently across recent Censuses. The rate of homelessness for women increased from 38 per 10,000 in 2006 to 42 per 10,000 in 2021, while the overall rate remained relatively stable. Around 9,120 women become homeless every year in Australia due to domestic and family violence (Healthy Housing Centre of Research Excellence).

Older Women

The number of women aged 55 and over experiencing homelessness increased by 37.4% between 2011 and 2021, a faster rate than any other demographic group. Older women facing homelessness often have limited superannuation and years of caring roles outside paid employment. Many lack rental history or referees after leaving a long-term relationship. Older women are less visible in service data. They are less likely to sleep rough and more likely to present in boarding houses, temporary lodgings, or through domestic violence services.

Women, Violence, and Housing

Family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women in Australia. In 2024-25, around 116,500 SHS clients had experienced family and domestic violence at some point during the reporting period (AIHW). Women who attempt to leave a violent relationship without secure alternative housing face an impossible choice: stay in danger or risk homelessness. Many return to unsafe situations because no alternative is available or accessible within a timeframe that feels manageable under extreme stress.

Nhanya Foundation works specifically with women navigating this intersection. Our Accommodation Support, Assertive Outreach and Stabilisation, and Advocacy and Service Navigation services are all designed to meet women where they are. Each is delivered at the person’s pace, without requiring a crisis threshold to have been reached first.

Persistent Homelessness in Australia

Persistent homelessness is defined as experiencing homelessness for more than seven months within a 24-month period. In 2023-24, 37,779 people were classified as persistently homeless in Australia, up from 29,500 in 2018-19. That represents a 28% increase over five years (Productivity Commission).

People experiencing persistent homelessness are among the most difficult to reach through standard service models. Many have had repeated negative experiences with systems, including health services, mental health services, and housing services. Trust has been broken over time. Standard referral pathways do not work for everyone in this group.

Assertive outreach is the evidence-based response. Outreach workers go to where people are rather than waiting for voluntary engagement. Relationships are built over time, and stabilisation is worked toward before formal service engagement becomes realistic. Nhanya’s Assertive Outreach and Stabilisation Program operates on this basis, prioritising consistent presence and relationship over compliance with service requirements.

Homelessness by State and Territory

Homelessness rates vary significantly across Australia’s states and territories, driven by differences in housing supply, rental affordability, service availability, and population demographics.

Types of Support Available for People Experiencing Homelessness

Australia’s homelessness service system operates across several tiers. The right entry point depends on your situation, your location, and the urgency of your need.

Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS)

Specialist homelessness services are the primary government-funded entry point. They provide assessment, case management, referrals to accommodation, and connections to other services including health, financial assistance, and legal help. In 2024-25, around 289,000 people accessed SHS support nationally. Access is through state and territory crisis hotlines or by walking into a local SHS office. For a detailed breakdown of state-by-state access points, see our guide to emergency housing in Australia.

Crisis and Emergency Accommodation

Short-term shelter for people in immediate housing crisis. Includes crisis shelters, women’s refuges, and emergency motel placements through state housing authorities. Duration is typically days to a few weeks. Access is through state hotlines or SHS workers.

Transitional Housing

Medium-term accommodation with wrap-around support. Bridges the gap between crisis accommodation and stable housing. Typically weeks to months. Includes case management, connections to employment, health, and skills development.

Social Housing

Long-term, government-subsidised rental housing for people on low incomes. Administered by state and territory governments. Wait times are significant. For a full guide including how to apply and what affects your priority, see our social housing in Australia guide.

Assertive Outreach

For people who are not engaging with services, assertive outreach workers go to where people are to build relationships and support stabilisation. Evidence shows this approach is more effective than waiting for people to self-refer, particularly for those with complex trauma histories or previous negative experiences with services.

Financial Assistance

Rental bond assistance, emergency relief, No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS), and Commonwealth Rent Assistance can all help prevent or resolve housing crises. Ask Izzy at askizzy.org.au is a free national directory searchable by postcode that includes financial assistance services alongside housing support.

How Nhanya Foundation Supports People Experiencing Homelessness

Nhanya Foundation is a Melbourne-based community organisation. Our work sits at the intersection of housing, disability, family safety, and wellbeing. We work with women, children, and young people whose housing situations are connected to one or more of these areas.

• Assertive Outreach and Stabilisation: Intensive, relationship-based engagement for people who are disengaged from formal systems. We go to where people are rather than waiting for them to come to us.
• Accommodation Support: Practical help navigating housing options, completing applications, managing tenancy transitions, and accessing NDIS-related accommodation pathways.
• Advocacy and Service Navigation: Case-by-case help navigating homelessness systems, understanding rights, gathering documentation, and following through on referrals.
• Support Coordination: For NDIS participants, helping you understand and access home and living supports including Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
• Specialist Support Coordination: For NDIS participants with complex housing and disability circumstances requiring a higher level of coordination expertise.
• Youth Strength and Recovery Workshops: Group programs for young people building resilience and connection after difficult experiences including homelessness.
• Skills for Life and Independence Program: Practical skill development for people working toward sustained independent living.
• Disability Support Services: For people with disability experiencing housing insecurity, including connection to appropriate NDIS housing pathways.

Contact Nhanya Foundation at nhanya.org.au/contact or call 03 8595 9012. Referrals can be submitted at nhanya.org.au/referral.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homelessness in Australia