National social housing survey 2025

As outlined in the first chapter of this report, more than two-thirds of social housing tenants (68%) reported being satisfied with the overall services provided by their housing organisation in 2025 (see Figure Satisfaction.1, Table S1.1). However, the reasons underpinning tenant satisfaction are shaped by tenants’ lived experience of social housing (Pawson and Sosenko 2011).  There is no single pathway to satisfaction with social housing. Instead, what leads to satisfaction varies between tenants, depending on their circumstances, experiences and supports (Garnham et al. 2021).

To better understand the Australian social housing experience, multiple aspects of the 2025 NSHS were examined using regression analysis. The analyses aimed to distinguish the factors associated with tenant satisfaction, both within and across different social housing programs. 

Understanding regression and differences in tenant satisfaction

Regression analysis is a statistical technique used to understand relationships among multiple variables. It examines the strength of the relationship between the specified factors and an outcome (such as tenant satisfaction), while holding other factors equal. Here, a logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationships between multiple ‘factors’ (such as tenant employment status, location or condition of the dwelling) and tenant satisfaction. 

The regression model included key geographic, psychosocial, sociodemographic and housing-related factors. Although other factors (such as tenants’ housing expectations) likely contribute to tenant satisfaction, only the directly measurable aspects of social housing were included as factors to maintain direct relevance to social housing performance.

Tips on interpreting regression results

Statistically significant results are when differences in results between groups or associations between a factor and result met a required statistical benchmark of confidence (Schroeder et al. 2016). Throughout this report, the term ‘significantly’ refers to statistically significant. More information on understanding significance is outlined in the introduction. 

Factors significantly associated with tenant satisfaction

There are a range of factors that were significantly associated with tenant satisfaction for all social housing tenants and among tenants of the 3 social housing programs surveyed in 2025 (Figure Factors.1, Table R.2). Some factors were not statistically significant for social housing tenants collectively but were statistically significant for tenants within specific social housing programs. 

Figure Factors.1. Summary of factors associated with tenant satisfaction, by social housing program, 2025

This section only presents results for factors that were significant among all social housing tenants. Also, only when a factor was found to be significant among all social housing programs, are the results for tenants within each of the specific programs presented. The results for the non-significant factors and those unique to specific programs can be found in the supplementary tables.

Housing conditions that affect tenant satisfaction

Housing conditions are a key aspect of any housing experience. The structural soundness of a home and access to working facilities can impact the mental and physical health of its occupants (Baker et al. 2016; Clapham et al. 2017; Fujiwara 2013). In 2019–20, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that renters from state and territory housing authorities accounted for the highest proportion of households reporting major structural problems (ABS 2020).  

Another key aspect of the housing experience is whether the size of the home is appropriate for the number of occupants. When the size of the home is not sufficient, it can also negatively various aspects of tenants’ wellbeing, such as their level of psychological stress, sense of space and privacy (Dockery et al. 2022).

Safety and security of the home affects tenant satisfaction

In 2025, how safe and secure tenants felt in their home was significantly correlated with overall satisfaction (Figure Factors.1, Table R.2). Within each housing program, tenants who reported that their needs were not met in terms of safety and security of the home were less likely to be satisfied than those who did feel their needs were met in this regard, when all else being equal. 

Structural problems affect tenant satisfaction

For both 2023 and 2025, structural problems were a highly significant factor in tenant satisfaction. (Figure Factors.2, Table R.2). Within each housing program, tenants living in a dwelling with one or more structural problems were less likely to be satisfied than those without, holding all other factors equal. 

Figure Factors.2: Predicted probability (%) of being satisfied with the overall service provided by their housing organisation, by the number of structural problems and social housing program, 2025

Energy efficiency affects tenant satisfaction

Energy efficiency of the home was another highly correlated factor with tenant satisfaction in 2025 (Figure Factors.1, Table R.2). Within each housing program, tenants living in a dwelling where they felt their energy efficiency needs were not met were less likely to be satisfied than those whose needs were met in this regard, when all other factors were considered equal. 

Thermal comfort affects tenant satisfaction

Thermal comfort, or the comfort of the dwelling in hot or cold weather, was identified as another factor that is highly correlated with tenant overall satisfaction (Table R.2). Across all housing programs and within the public housing program, tenants were less likely to be satisfied when their thermal comfort needs were not met, compared with tenants whose needs were met, all being equal.

‘Housing needs to come to help fix the problems in my home, especially the back fence and the floors and walls.’ 

‘Household maintenance- that is, ageing wood, large trees, shrubs, yard wear and tear, sloping or sinking pockets of pavement, draughty windows, damp/mould, et cetera, have overtaken all to be daily constant work.’ 

‘Ongoing issue with termites not addressed.’ 

‘At times I feel unsafe because there is no front fence or carport down the side of the house. Solor panels are not working, no security measures at this house.’

‘Has disability fixtures that enables me manoeuvre without starting a muscle ache. It has a beautiful garden that keeps me focused and calm inside.’

Social housing factors that affect tenant satisfaction

State or territory of residence affects tenant satisfaction

State or territory was also significantly associated with tenant satisfaction among social housing tenants in 2025. With all else being equal, social housing tenants in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory were less likely to be satisfied than those in Queenslandacross all housing programs. 

See technical notes for detailed information on these results. Other findings from the regression analysis relate to neighbours and wellbeing. These are described in the following section.

Safety and security within neighbourhood affects tenant satisfaction

Safety and security within the neighbourhood was found to be significantly correlated with overall satisfaction in 2025. With all else being equal, tenants who reported that their needs were not met in terms of safety in the neighbourhood were less likely to be satisfied than those who reported their needs were met in this regard, both across all social housing tenants and within the public housing program. 

‘We live in the towers, it’s really unknown. You can have a pleasant ride in the lift with other residents occasionally or you get in with drug affected people who are threatening and intimidating.’

‘I don't like to bother people so I tend not to ask for any help where I live.’

‘Neighbours take my bins down to the street and bring them up. One neighbour texts me every couple of days if she hasn't heard me sliding doors or moving around.’ 

‘My neighbours set up a WhatsApp group chat during COVID which has been very useful for local information & enhancing a sense of community.’ 

Tenant experience with neighbours affects tenant satisfaction

Tenants’ level of comfort in asking neighbour for help is significantly associated with their overall satisfaction of social housing services. Holding other factors constant, tenants who felt very comfortable asking neighbour for help were more likely to be satisfied than those who felt less comfortable (Figure Factors.3. Table R.3). This statistically significant relationship is observed across all social housing tenants and within both the public housing and community housing programs.

Figure Factors.3: Predicted probability (%) of being satisfied with the overall service provided by an organisation, by level of comfort with neighbours, 2025