Rent Calculator
What rent an Australian household income supports (30% rule or your own share), weekly to monthly conversion, and bond and rent increase rules by state.
Maximum rent at 30% of income
$519/wkOn a $90,000 household income, the 30% guide allows $519 a week. Rent of $550 a week is $2,383 a month and 32% of income, above the guide; the maximum bond in New South Wales is $2,200 (4 weeks).
| Income per week (gross) | $1,730.77 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rent at 30% | $519.23/week |
| Same, per month | $2,250.00 |
| Your rent as share of income | 31.8% |
| Rent per fortnight | $1,100.00 |
| Rent per month (×52 ÷ 12) | $2,383.33 |
| Rent per calendar month (×365.25 ÷ 7 ÷ 12) | $2,391.52 |
| Rent per year | $28,600 |
| Maximum bond in New South Wales | $2,200 (4 weeks) |
Above the guide (up to 45% is often called rental stress)
Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent (Residential Tenancies Act 2010 s 159). Lodged with NSW Fair Trading (Rental Bonds Online).
How this was calculated
| Gross income: $90,000 a year = $1,730.77 a week | $1,730.77 |
|---|---|
| Rent share: 30% of gross income | 30.0% |
| Maximum rent: $1,730.77 × 30% = $519.23 a week1730.77 × 0.3 | $519.23 |
| Proposed rent $550 a week is 31.8% of gross income | 31.8% |
On a $90,000 household income, the 30% guide allows $519 a week. Rent of $550 a week is $2,383 a month and 32% of income, above the guide; the maximum bond in New South Wales is $2,200 (4 weeks).
Source: State tenancy authorities Last verified How we keep this accurate
How rent affordability is calculated
The calculator applies a percentage of gross household income, 30% by default, to give a maximum weekly rent. Income is converted to a weekly figure first (annual ÷ 52), because Australian rent is quoted per week. The rent you are considering is then expressed as a share of income and rated: within the guide, above it (up to 45%), or well above it (rental stress). The share is adjustable, since the right figure depends on other fixed costs.
Weekly rent to monthly rent
Two conversions are in common use and the calculator shows both:
- Agent convention: weekly rent × 52 ÷ 12. This assumes 4.333 weeks in a month and is what most leases use.
- Calendar month: weekly rent × 365.25 ÷ 7 ÷ 12. This uses 4.348 weeks a month and is slightly higher.
On $550 a week the two figures are $2,383.33 and $2,391.53. Over a year the difference is about $98, so check which method the lease specifies.
Bond and rent increase rules by state
Bond caps and how often rent can be increased are set by each state’s tenancy law. The table summarises the rules the calculator uses; every entry is linked to the responsible authority and was checked against the current Act on 25 September 2026.
| State | Maximum bond | Rent increases | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent (Residential Tenancies Act 2010 s 159). Lodged with NSW Fair Trading (Rental Bonds Online). | Rent can be increased no more than once in any 12 months, with 60 days' written notice. | NSW Fair Trading |
| Victoria | Maximum bond is 1 month's rent where weekly rent is $900 or less (Residential Tenancies Act 1997 s 31(1), (3)); no cap above that, or where VCAT orders otherwise (s 33). Lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority within 14 days. | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months for agreements made on or after 19 June 2019 (once every 6 months for older agreements), with at least 90 days' notice in the prescribed form (60 days before 25 November 2025). During a fixed term only if the agreement provides for it. | Consumer Affairs Victoria |
| Queensland | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent for general tenancies at any rent level (Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 s 112(1)(b)); moveable dwellings 2 weeks (3 with electricity). Lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority within 10 days. | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months (attached to the property from 2024), with 2 months' notice. | Residential Tenancies Authority |
| Western Australia | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent where weekly rent is $1,200 or less (Residential Tenancies Act 1987 s 29; Regulations r 11), no cap above that, plus a pet bond of up to $350 where pets are kept (s 29(1)(b)(ii); Regulations r 10A). Lodged with the Bond Administrator within 14 days. | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months (from 29 July 2024; previously 6 months), with at least 60 days' notice; during a fixed term only if the amount or method is in the agreement (s 30). | Consumer Protection WA |
| South Australia | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent where weekly rent is $800 or less, or 6 weeks' rent where weekly rent is more than $800 (Residential Tenancies Act 1995 s 61(3); Residential Tenancies Regulations 2025 r 13). Lodged with Consumer and Business Services (Residential Bonds Online). | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months, with 60 days' notice. | Consumer and Business Services SA |
| Tasmania | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent (Residential Tenancy Act 1997). Lodged with the Rental Deposit Authority. | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months, with 60 days' notice, and only if the agreement allows it. | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services |
| Australian Capital Territory | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent (Residential Tenancies Act 1997 s 20). Lodged with the ACT Revenue Office (Rental Bonds Office). | Rent can be increased no more than once every 12 months, with 8 weeks' notice. Increases above 110% of the rent component of Canberra CPI need the tenant's consent or ACAT approval. | Access Canberra |
| Northern Territory | Maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent (Residential Tenancies Act 1999 s 29), held in an agent's trust account, an ADI account kept by the landlord, or a statutory corporation. | Rent can be increased no more than once every 6 months, with at least 30 days' written notice, and only if the agreement specifies the right to increase and the amount or method (s 41). | Consumer Affairs NT |
What this calculator doesn’t cover
- Rent assistance, income tests for social housing, or lender serviceability (see the borrowing power calculator when it launches).
- Break-lease fees, water charges, and rooming-house or caravan-park rules, which differ from general tenancies.
- Rent bidding rules and advertised-price requirements, which vary by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much rent can I afford?
The common guide is 30% of gross household income. On $90,000 a year that is $1,730.77 a week of income and $519 a week of rent, or $2,250 a month. Spending more than 30% is widely called rental stress for lower-income households, though many renters in capital cities pay more. Use the share slider to test what is realistic for your budget after other fixed costs.
How do I convert weekly rent to monthly?
Multiply the weekly rent by 52 and divide by 12. Rent of $550 a week is $2,383.33 a month by that method, which is what most agents and property managers use. A true calendar month is slightly longer (365.25 days ÷ 7 ÷ 12 = 4.348 weeks), giving $2,391.53. Check which method the lease uses, because the difference adds up over a year.
Why is rent quoted per week in Australia?
Australian tenancy law and the rental market work in weekly amounts: bond caps are expressed in weeks of rent, notice periods are in days or weeks, and listings quote a weekly figure. Many leases collect rent monthly or fortnightly, converted from the weekly amount, which is why the calculator shows every period side by side.
How much is a rental bond?
In most states and territories the maximum bond is 4 weeks' rent, so $550 a week means a $2,200 bond. Victoria caps the bond at one month's rent where the weekly rent is $900 or less. The bond must be lodged with the state's bond authority, not held by the agent, and is returned at the end of the lease less any agreed or ordered deductions.
How often can rent be increased?
Most states allow one increase in any 12-month period with 60 days' written notice (the ACT requires 8 weeks and caps increases above 110% of the rent component of CPI without consent). The Northern Territory allows an increase every 6 months with 30 days' notice. Enter the previous rent and the months since the last increase to check the frequency rule and see the increase as a percentage.
Is 30% of income the right benchmark?
It is a rule of thumb, used by the ABS and housing researchers to flag housing stress among lower-income households (the 30/40 rule applies it to the bottom 40% of incomes). Higher earners can often sustain a larger share; households with childcare, debt repayments or HECS may need to keep it lower. The calculator lets you set any share and shows the take-home effect through the weekly tax calculator.
Does this include utilities or other costs?
No. The affordability figure is rent only. Water usage, electricity, gas, internet and contents insurance come on top, along with any moving costs and the bond up front. Budget for those separately, and note that a bond of 4 weeks' rent plus 2 weeks' rent in advance means about 6 weeks of rent is needed before moving in.
Sources and assumptions
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