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Australian Rent Increase Calculator

Check if a proposed rent increase is legal in your Australian state. Calculates required notice periods, the ACT CPI cap, and the earliest effective date.

Your details

Select the state or territory where the rental property is located. Rules for notice periods and frequency differ.

Select the type of agreement at the time the notice is given. This affects notice periods in some states.

The rent amount currently paid per week, fortnight, or month. Enter the exact amount.

The rent amount the landlord wishes to charge.

The date the current rent amount first took effect. If never increased, use the lease start date.

The date the tenant receives (or will receive) the written rent increase notice.

For ACT only: Enter the annual percentage change for 'Rents' in Canberra from the latest ABS CPI report (e.g., 4.2). This is the year-on-year change required by law. Default is the latest known figure (June 2026 quarter).

Result

Is the Proposed Increase Compliant? Yes

A 'Yes' means the increase meets the basic timing and (for ACT) amount rules. It does not assess if the increase is 'excessive' under general tenancy law, which may require tribunal review.

How it is calculated

Months Since Last Increase Number of full calendar months between the last increase and the date notice is given.
13 months
Minimum Months Required Between Increases The minimum period (in months) that must pass before another increase can be proposed.
12 months
Frequency Rule Compliant? Is the proposed increase allowed based on the time since the last increase?
Yes
Proposed Rent Increase Amount The absolute dollar amount of the proposed increase.
A$25.00
Proposed Rent Increase Percentage The proposed increase as a percentage of the current rent.
4.17 %
ACT Maximum Allowed Increase % In the ACT, the maximum increase is 110% of the annual Canberra Rent CPI. For other states, this does not apply.
4.62 %
ACT Maximum Allowed Rent The highest rent allowed under ACT's cap, based on the current rent and the capped CPI.
A$627.72
Amount Rule Compliant? In the ACT, checks if the proposed rent exceeds the CPI cap. In other states, there is generally no cap on the amount for periodic agreements, but it must not be excessive.
Yes
Required Notice Period (Days) The minimum number of notice days required by law in your state for your agreement type and increase amount.
60 days
Earliest Permissible Effective Date The earliest date the increased rent can legally start. For QLD periodic agreements, this is calculated as 2 calendar months from the notice date. For others, it is the notice date plus the required number of days.
30 April 2026
Keep in mind
  • This calculator checks compliance with standard timing rules and the ACT's specific CPI cap. It does NOT determine if a rent increase is 'excessive' under general tenancy laws, which may require application to a tribunal in your state.
  • For states other than the ACT, there is generally no legislated cap on the percentage increase for periodic agreements outside a fixed term. However, tenants may challenge 'excessive' increases through their state's tribunal.
  • The ACT CPI Rent input requires the annual percentage change (year-on-year) for 'Rents' in Canberra from the ABS CPI report. The default value (4.2%) is from the June 2026 quarter release. Always verify the latest figure.
  • Notice periods: NSW requires 90 days for increases over 10% on periodic agreements. Queensland requires 'at least 2 months' notice for periodic agreements, which this calculator implements as a calendar month calculation (e.g., notice on Jan 15 means effective on or after Mar 15). Western Australia requires 21 days for periodic agreements. The Northern Territory requires 30 days for all agreements. For all other cases, the general rule of 60 days applies.
  • The frequency of increases is calculated in calendar months (e.g., 12 months), not a fixed 365 days, to align with the legal standard in most jurisdictions.
  • Rules for fixed-term agreements may differ. This calculator provides basic checks, but you should review your specific lease agreement.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

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Rent Increase Notice
You may also need

Understanding Rent Increases in Australia

Landlords in Australia have the right to increase rent, but they must follow specific rules that vary by state and territory. These rules primarily govern how often rent can be increased, how much notice must be given, and in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a cap on the amount. Getting it wrong can make the increase invalid and cause disputes. This guide explains the key rules and how to use our calculator to ensure compliance.

Key Rules for Rent Increases

The main rules across Australia are:

  • Frequency: Rent can typically only be increased once every 12 months for periodic (month-to-month) agreements. The 12-month period is counted in calendar months from the date the last increase took effect.
  • Notice Period: Landlords must provide written notice a minimum number of days before the increase takes effect. While 60 days is common, several states have important exceptions:
    • NSW: 90 days notice is required if the increase is more than 10% for a periodic agreement.
    • QLD: At least 2 calendar months notice is required for periodic agreements (e.g., notice on January 5 means the increase cannot start before March 5).
    • WA: 21 days notice for periodic agreements.
    • NT: 30 days notice for all agreements.
  • ACT Cap: In the ACT, the new rent cannot exceed 110% of the annual percentage change in the 'Rents' index for Canberra, as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This ties increases to local market inflation.

How the Calculator Works

Our calculator applies the rules for your selected state, agreement type, and specific situation. It performs three main checks:

  1. Timing Check: It calculates the number of full months since the last increase. If it's less than 12 months, the increase is not yet permitted.
  2. Amount Check (ACT only): For ACT properties, it calculates the maximum allowed rent based on the current rent and the latest annual Canberra Rent CPI figure you provide. If the proposed rent is higher, it is non-compliant with the cap.
  3. Notice Check: It determines the correct notice period based on your state, agreement type, and the size of the increase. It then calculates the earliest legal effective date, using calendar months for Queensland periodic agreements and days for others.

Example Calculation for Queensland

Imagine a periodic tenancy in Queensland with a current rent of $450 per week. The last increase was on 1 August 2025. On 1 July 2026, the landlord gives notice to increase the rent to $480.

  • Frequency: From 1 Aug 2025 to 1 July 2026 is 11 months. This is less than the required 12 months. Non-compliant.
  • Notice Period: For a QLD periodic agreement, the required notice is at least 2 calendar months. With notice given 1 July, the earliest start date is 1 September 2026.
  • Result: The increase is NOT compliant because it is proposed too soon.

What to Do After Calculating

If your increase is compliant, the next step is to formally notify your tenant. For landlords, we recommend using the Rent Increase Notice document. It ensures all legally required details are included, such as the current and new rent amounts, the effective date, and the date of notice. For tenants facing an increase, this notice helps you verify the landlord has followed the correct process.

If you are negotiating a renewal of the lease with a rent change, the Letter Offering Lease Renewal is a suitable document to outline the new terms formally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord increase the rent by any amount? In most states (outside the ACT), there is no specific percentage cap for periodic tenancies. However, tenants can apply to their state's tribunal (e.g., QCAT in Queensland) if they believe an increase is excessive. The tribunal will compare it to current market rents for similar properties.

What does '2 months notice' mean in Queensland? The law specifies 'at least 2 months' written notice. This period is calculated by calendar months, not a fixed number of days. For example, notice given on 25 January requires the increase to take effect on or after 25 March. Our calculator correctly implements this using calendar months.

Does the 12-month rule apply during a fixed-term lease? Generally, rent cannot be increased during a fixed term unless the lease agreement specifically allows it and sets out the method. The 12-month rule usually applies to increases at the end of a fixed term or during a periodic tenancy.

Where do I find the annual Canberra Rent CPI for the ACT calculation? Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website and search for the latest 'Consumer Price Index, Australia' release. Look for Table 4 (CPI: Group, Subgroup and Expenditure Class) and find the row for 'Rents' in the 'Canberra' column. Use the 'Percentage change from corresponding quarter of previous year' figure.

Frequently asked questions

How often can my rent be increased in Australia?

For periodic (month-to-month) tenancies, rent can generally only be increased once every 12 calendar months. This rule applies in all states and territories. The 12-month period is calculated from the date the last increase took effect.

How much notice does my landlord need to give for a rent increase?

Notice periods vary. A common requirement is 60 days. Key exceptions: NSW requires 90 days for increases over 10% on periodic agreements. Queensland requires at least 2 calendar months for periodic agreements. Western Australia requires 21 days for periodic agreements. The Northern Territory requires 30 days for all agreements.

Is there a limit to how much rent can be increased in NSW or Victoria?

For periodic tenancies outside a fixed term, there is no specific percentage cap set by law in NSW, Victoria, or most other states. However, tenants can challenge an increase they believe is 'excessive' by applying to the relevant tribunal (e.g., NCAT, VCAT), which will consider current market rents.

What is the rent increase cap in the ACT?

In the Australian Capital Territory, a rent increase cannot exceed 110% of the annual percentage change in the 'Rents' index for Canberra, as published quarterly by the ABS. This is often referred to as the 'CPI plus 10%' cap.

What does '2 months notice' mean in Queensland? Is it 60 days?

Queensland law requires 'at least 2 months' notice for periodic agreements. This is a calendar month calculation, not a fixed 60 days. For example, notice given on January 31 means the increase can start on or after March 31 (which could be 59 or 60 days later). Our calculator correctly uses calendar months for this calculation.

What should I do if I receive an invalid rent increase notice?

If the notice does not give the required warning period, or if in the ACT it exceeds the CPI cap, you should respond in writing to your landlord or agent. Politely point out the legal requirement that has not been met. Seek advice from your state's tenancy authority (e.g., NSW Fair Trading, QLD RTA) if the issue is not resolved.

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