The report’s author, National Housing Advocacy organisation Everybody’s Home, compared data on rents against award wages across 15 essential worker categories.
In northern Victoria, which includes Echuca, the range varies from 54 per cent for those in the hospitality industry through to 39 per cent for school teachers.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the figures were alarming.
“Essential workers are the backbone of our communities, yet they are being priced out of them because of the unsustainable rises in rents,” she said.
“More and more essential workers are being pushed into serious rental stress.
“Virtually no region in Australia is affordable for our aged care workers, early childhood carers, cleaners, nurses and many other essential workers we rely on.
“So many essential industries are facing workforce shortages with workers unable to afford to stay or move to parts of the country where these shortages are at their worst.”
The news is slightly better across the border with the average 40.67 per cent.
In the Riverina, which includes Moama, the range varies from 44 per cent for those in the hospitality industry through to 32 per cent for school teachers.
Ms Azize said the Federal Government needed to step up and ease the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our essential workers are used to dealing with crises, but this is one that calls for serious action from the Federal Government,” she said.
“Australia has a huge shortfall of social homes for people who can't afford rent.
“The Federal Government must start building 25,000 social homes every year to end our shortfall.
“That will help workers in severe rental stress, and free up affordable rentals for everyone else. The government can fund those social homes by winding back handouts for investors and landlords.”