New research from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has revealed a major gap in Australia’s housing system – one that leaves millions of temporary visa-holders exposed to overcrowding, instability and what researchers describe as “hidden homelessness”.
While public debate often centres on whether migration drives up housing costs, AHURI’s findings highlight a different reality: many temporary migrants struggle quietly in the private rental market, with limited access to support and little visibility in national housing policy.
A growing population left out of the housing system
At the end of 2024, Australia was home to more than 2.8 million people on temporary visas – about 10.5 per cent of the population. Of these, around 1.7 million were the focus of AHURI’s study, which excluded New Zealand citizens and short-term visitors.
Despite making up a significant share of the population, temporary visa-holders have very limited access to social or community housing. In 2021, only 1.6 per cent lived in these settings. The rest rely almost entirely on the private rental market – often without a rental history, references or knowledge of Australia’s severe housing shortages.
The consequences are stark: around 20 per cent of temporary migrants lived in overcrowded housing, compared with 7 per cent of the general population.
“No single department looks after temporary migrants”
Interviews with tenants revealed a consistent pattern of hardship. Many temporary migrants arrived in Australia unaware of how competitive rentals had become. Others were rejected due to lack of references, or forced into informal and insecure arrangements.
Without access to public housing or most formal support services, many turned instead to community groups, faith-based organisations and migrant networks. These supports, while often lifesaving, remain patchy and inconsistent.
The research also found that certain groups face heightened vulnerability – including international students, who are regularly targeted by fraudulent rental offers on social media, and women on temporary visas experiencing domestic abuse, who may be ineligible for long-term accommodation support.
Researchers warn that without structural support, temporary visa-holders are at risk of “hidden homelessness” and entrenched hardship. The absence of clear responsibility across government compounds the issue: as one researcher noted, “there is no single department that really looks after temporary migrants.”
Migration is not the cause of the housing crisis – but migrants bear the burden
Contrary to common belief, AHURI stresses that migrants are not a significant driver of housing unaffordability. One study cited in the research found that international students have only a marginal impact on rental prices.
The problem, researchers argue, is structural: too few affordable homes, limited social housing supply, and a rental market that leaves little room for those without established tenancy histories. For temporary migrants, the effects of these conditions are amplified.
Where policy must shift
AHURI’s report calls for urgent changes to ensure temporary visa-holders are no longer overlooked. Key recommendations include:
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Expanding national and state housing services to cover temporary migrants more explicitly
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Increasing support for local hubs and community organisations that assist migrants with rental navigation and tenancy rights
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Improving oversight of hosted accommodation, including employer-provided housing and accommodation tied to schemes like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program, where risks of exploitation can be high
The research also highlights the long-term consequences of neglecting this population. Nearly 60 per cent of permanent visas are granted to people already living in Australia – meaning today’s temporary migrants are tomorrow’s future workers, residents and community members.
What this means for NSW and regional communities
For NSW, where industries from agriculture to hospitality depend heavily on temporary labour, the findings have clear implications. Local economies rely on these workers – but without secure housing, workforce stability, productivity and community wellbeing all suffer.
The report signals a shift that policymakers can no longer ignore: if temporary migrants are central to Australia’s economic and social fabric, then they must be included in its housing frameworks, protections and planning.
As AHURI researchers put it, addressing this blind spot is critical not just for equity, but for the country’s long-term resilience.
Read the full report.