For the first time in five years, tenancy reviews are back – and the results are already exposing how broken Queensland’s social housing system became under Labor.
Since the Crisafulli Government reinstated reviews on 1 July, more than 2,000 tenancy checks have been initiated. The findings are striking:
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76 households identified as high-income earners, above the $80,000 threshold.
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9 tenants found to be owning property while still living in taxpayer-funded housing.
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13 households placed on market rent after failing to provide income details.
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1 in 4 households have already had their rent reduced – some by as much as $70 per week.
Under Labor, 45% of public housing tenants went more than five years without any rent or eligibility review. That “set-and-forget” approach left thousands of Queenslanders worse off – with some tenants overpaying by hundreds of dollars, while others remained in homes they were no longer eligible for.
One case uncovered included a Townsville couple with a joint income of over $168,000 paying just $187 per week in rent.
The Crisafulli Government has introduced a strengthened tenancy management system to ensure fairness:
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Annual eligibility checks to confirm tenants still meet income and asset thresholds.
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Market rent applied to tenants who refuse to provide income details or are found ineligible.
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Rent capped at 25% of income for all eligible tenants.
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Increases capped at $15 per week, per year to protect tenants from sudden rent hikes.
Importantly, tenants no longer eligible for public housing will be supported to transition into the private market with access to bond loans, rental grants, and other assistance products.
While fixing the system, the Crisafulli Government is also investing in solutions. The 2025-26 Budget delivers a record $5.6 billion over the next four years for social and community housing – ensuring more Queenslanders have a safe and secure place to call home.
