The lights or the rent: 1 in 4 Aussies leave bills unpaid to prioritise housing costs
Key takeaways
- 2.3 million households have had to put their mortgage or rent ahead of other bills.
- Electricity and gas bills are the most common casualty.
- Reducing a few regular household bills can create some much-needed breathing room.
Millions of Australians admit they've delayed a bill payment to keep a roof over their heads, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,006 respondents revealed 23% of Australians – 2.3 million households – have missed or delayed at least one bill in the past year in order to cover their mortgage or rent payment.
Electricity and gas bills were the most common casualty, with 8% saying they had delayed paying an energy bill.
A further 6% had put off their car insurance, while 6% delayed a credit card payment.
Richard Whitten, money expert at Finder, said the results show how little wiggle room some households have once housing costs are covered.
"When the mortgage or rent takes such a big chunk out of the budget, other bills can easily get pushed down the list.
"For some, that means holding off on the electricity bill, insurance renewal, or credit card repayment so they can make sure their biggest bill is paid.
"It's concerning that so many households are in a position where they have to decide which expenses need to wait."
Finder's research found home internet, BNPL and home insurance were each delayed by 5% of Australians.
Whitten said households under pressure should reach out to bill providers and request an extension rather than missing payments without notice.
"If you're regularly juggling bills to make the mortgage or rent, it might be time to review your budget and spending habits.
"Look at your biggest recurring expenses first and see where you can cut costs or negotiate a better deal.
"Reducing a few regular household bills can create some much-needed breathing room and help stop one missed payment turning into a cycle of late fees, interest or mounting debt."
In the last 12 months, have you missed or delayed a bill to make sure you could cover your mortgage or rent?
| Yes, delayed paying for electricity/gas | 8% |
| Yes, delayed paying for car insurance | 6% |
| Yes, delayed paying for credit card | 6% |
| Yes, delayed paying for home internet | 5% |
| Yes, delayed paying for BNPL | 5% |
| Yes, delayed paying for home insurance | 5% |
| Yes, other | 1% |
| No | 77% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,006 Australians, August 2026 |  |
Credits
- PR & Insights research team: Taylor Blackburn, Kate Boddington, Natascha Kwiet-Evans, William Capada
- Survey operation: Qualtrics
Sources
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