‘Heavy on the pocket’: International students feel the pinch as rental prices in Sydney soar

International students are forced to take on extra jobs to juggle rent payments with food, groceries, and higher tuition expenses.

International students Carina Cantil (left photo) and Donabelle Cabotage-Cadano (right photo)

Key Points

• International students are under increasing strain as cost of living pressures bite
• The Greens are calling for a nationwide two-year rent freeze to allow incomes to catch up with surging prices.
• The government recognised skyrocketing rents were a major part of the inflation problem and that employers in regional areas were struggling to attract staff because of a lack of available housing.

Donnabell Cabotage-Cadano has been living and studying in Sydney for three years. She says she’s currently juggling two jobs to pay for her tuition fees at uni whilst providing for her family’s daily living expenses and setting aside payment for their rental property.

International student Donabelle Cabotage-Cadano with her family.

Core Logic Data showed the median rent for houses in Greater Sydney was $722 in August, up by nine percent in a year.

And in some parts of Western Sydney, including Parramatta and Blacktown, rents have gone up by 10 per cent or more.

"It's really heavy on our pockets. As international students, we are paying higher tuition fees. Aside from that, we also had to set aside money to pay for the rental property, not to mention groceries and other expenses. I just look for other ways to survive," she shared.

Donabelle admits her situation forced her to sacrifice a few things including quality time with family.

Sometimes I want to rest, but it's like I'm compelled to work two jobs and work seven days a week just to make ends meet

International student Donabell Cabotage-Cadano

Another international student Carina Cantil shares that her salary is just enough to pay for rent, food and transportation costs. And if prices continue to increase, she needs to be more mindful of her spending.

International Student Carina Cantil

The federal government is not actively considering a rent freeze as proposed by the Greens, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.

The Greens call for a nationwide two-year rent freeze to allow incomes to catch up with surging prices.

However, Mr Chalmers recognised skyrocketing rents were a major part of the inflation problem and that regional employers struggled to attract staff because of a lack of available housing.

Mr Chalmers said the government would focus on boosting supply to combat the housing crisis.