How Long Does It Really Take to Get Approved for a Rental in Australia?

Derisna
Jun 20
3 min read

If you’re new to the Australian rental market, it’s easy to underestimate how long the process takes. Many first-time renters believe they can find a property, apply, and move in within a week or two. But in reality, how long it takes to get approved for a rental in Australia is often much longer than expected, a multi-week process filled with delays, rejections, and unanswered questions.

So how long does it really take?

The short answer is: longer than you think.

The Timeline Most Renters Don’t See

From the outside, applying for a rental looks straightforward. Find a property, submit your documents, and wait for approval. But behind the scenes, the timeline is shaped by multiple steps that often stretch out the process:

Searching for suitable properties
Attending inspections
Preparing and submitting a complete application
Waiting for the agent to respond
Losing out and repeating the process again

On average, this process takes three to six weeks, sometimes longer if you are new to the country or lack rental history. As we explain in how long it takes to get approved, timing, preparation, and persistence are key to avoiding unnecessary delays.

The Delays No One Warns You About

What slows renters down the most is often invisible. For example:

Document delays: If you don’t have a rental ledger, payslips, or local references, you may lose valuable time trying to find or substitute documents. We cover this in more detail in what you need before applying.
Agent silence: Even if your application is strong, agents may not reply. As we explain in why you’re not getting approved, the silence isn’t personal, but it can be costly.
Applying too late: Every day spent hesitating means someone else could be getting approved. Knowing when to start applying can make a huge difference in fast-moving markets.

Why Rejection Sets You Back Even More

Each rejection often forces renters to start from scratch. You search again, inspect again, apply again, and hope for a different outcome. This cycle can drag out for weeks, especially if you are applying without a clear strategy or repeat mistakes unknowingly.

And the more rejections you receive, the harder it can become. Agents might recognise your name and question why you haven’t been approved yet, which can subtly damage your chances without you even realising it.

How Find My Home Saves You Time

At Find My Home, we reduce the time it takes to secure a rental by managing the process from start to finish:

We prepare your documents in advance so nothing delays your application
We track listings in real time, filtering out ones that are already gone
We apply at the right moment with complete, well-presented applications
We follow up with agents, so you’re not left waiting in silence

Instead of spending weeks on the process, many of our clients are approved within days.

Final Thoughts

Renting isn’t just about having the money or the will. It’s about navigating a system that can feel confusing and slow, especially when you’re new to it. If you’re tired of waiting, applying, and hearing nothing back, it might not be you. It might just be the system and that’s exactly where we step in.