NTCOSS cost of living report highlights pressures facing Territorians

A cost of living report has highlighted the pressures facing Territorians when it comes to affording essentials including housing, utilities and transport.

A cost of living report has highlighted the pressures facing Territorians when it comes to affording essentials including housing, utilities and transport.

The NT Council of Social Service said its Cost of Living in the Northern Territory report, released on Monday, painted a “concerning picture” and reinforced the need to target help towards the most disadvantaged.

Findings revealed inner Darwin as the most expensive place to rent in the NT, with the median price for a three-bedroom home rising to $700 a week.

The prices mean a young person on youth allowance would need to spend nearly half their income on even the cheapest room in a Darwin share house.

Katherine meanwhile is the cheapest place to rent at $470 a week for a three-bedroom house – a cost that is still not considered affordable for low-income households.

In better news for Territory homeowners, the NT was ranked the most affordable jurisdiction nationally for mortgage repayments.

Energy costs remained a significant part of household budgets, with estimates the average three person household paid almost $3200 a year for electricity in 2024-25, up four per cent from last year.

The Commonwealth Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates led to a fall in the electricity consumer price index nationwide, however without additional state based rebates the impact in the Territory was much smaller – falling just 6.7 per cent compared to 25.2 per cent nationally.

NTCOSS estimates the average three person household in the Territory pays almost $3200 a year for power. AAP Image/David Mariuz

Most homes in remote Aboriginal communities, and some urban public houses, use prepaid meters for electricity.

According to the NTCOSS report there were almost 80,000 instances of power being cut to homes because of insufficient funds on prepaid meters in 2023-24.

The number of so-called ‘self-disconnection’ events was down in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs compared with the previous year, largely thanks to governments’ $350 relief payment.

When power was cut, however, it lasted for longer – the average disconnection in Alice Springs lasting 11.5 hours.

Transport costs also remained high across the NT and hit hardest in Alice Springs – the Red Centre ranking as the most expensive regional town for transport at almost a fifth of a typical household income.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service chief executive Sally Sievers.

NTCOSS called on both the Territory and federal governments to increase welfare payments, expand concession eligibility, prioritise affordable housing in land release, and implement minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals.

“Cost of living pressures are hitting the Territory hard,” chief executive Sally Sievers said.

“When young people are paying 78 per cent of their apprentice wage just to rent a one-bedroom unit, it’s clear the system is not working for everyone.

“These aren’t abstract figures, these are stories of people skipping meals, missing rent, or losing power.

“That’s why cost of living relief must be targeted — it’s those most disadvantaged who need the support most, and where it will make the biggest impact.

“We must work together — across government, the community and social sector and community — to create a Territory where everyone can afford to live with dignity.”

Originally published as NTCOSS cost of living report highlights pressures facing Territorians