Renter's Cost Planner
Everything you need to plan your tenancy finances - from bonding to renewal.
1. Rent Affordability
The 30% Gross Income Rule
Enter your pre-tax (gross) annual salary.
2. Upfront Moving Costs
Bond Caps & Rent-in-Advance
3. Rent Increase Checker
Compliance & Rights Verification
Legally, a rent increase cannot take effect during a fixed-term lease unless specifically stated in your original agreement. Always check your signed contract.
How much rent you can afford, and what moving in costs
A common rule of thumb is that rent above 30% of your gross income puts a household in rental stress. Agents and landlords often use the same 30% test when they look at an application, so it's a useful first check before you inspect.
The weekly rent is only part of the cost of moving. You'll usually pay a bond of up to four weeks' rent, which is lodged with your state's bond authority, plus rent in advance, all before you get the keys.
Worked example: a $600 a week listing
A renter earning $85,000 a year before tax is looking at a unit advertised at $600 a week.
- 30% of $85,000 a year, per week
- $490
- Income needed for $600 a week
- $104,000
- Bond (4 weeks)
- $2,400
- First month of rent
- $2,600
- Cash needed to move in
- $5,000
At $600 a week the rent is above the $490 that 30% of this income allows, so it would count as rental stress. A unit nearer $490 a week keeps rent under 30%. Either way, budget about $5,000 in cash before moving costs and connections.
Common mistakes
Using take-home pay for the 30% test
The 30% rule is usually measured against gross (before-tax) income. Measured against take-home pay, the same rent is a much bigger share.
Forgetting the bond comes back slowly
Your old bond isn't usually returned until after you've moved out, so you may need two bonds' worth of cash for a short time.
Not budgeting for moving itself
Removalists, cleaning, connection fees and overlap rent can add hundreds of dollars on top of the bond and rent in advance.
Assuming rent stays the same
Most leases allow increases at set intervals. Check the notice rules for your state with the rent increase checker above.
Know Your Rights
The Australian rental market is highly regulated to protect tenants from excessive bond claims and unfair increases. Access our full state guides for detailed advice on bond recovery and maintenance requests.