Australians with Mortgages and Renters Carry Highest Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Australians with mortgages and renters are carrying higher unpaid credit card balances than homeowners, according to new research from Roy Morgan.

The study, based on a survey of over 60,000 Australians, revealed that 36% of credit card holders leave part of their credit card debt unpaid at the end of each month. The findings were published in the Roy Morgan Single Source survey released on 5 November 2025.

The median unpaid balance stands at A$1,037, with mortgage payers owing an average of A$1,342, renters A$911, and homeowners who own their properties outright owing a comparatively lower A$787.

The data suggests that Australians with higher ongoing living expenses are more likely to carry credit card debt.

“Disturbingly, an estimated 423,000 Australians leave unpaid credit card debt of over A$5,000 each month. This represents around 2% of the total adult population and 6% of all credit card holders,” said Suela Qemal, General Manager of Financial Services at Roy Morgan.

“These trends indicate that cost-of-living pressures — particularly rising rent and mortgage repayments — are major reasons why many Australians rely on credit to make ends meet,” Qemal added.

The survey also found that 1 in 7 (14%) credit card holders have used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. BNPL use was more common among renters (22%) and mortgage payers (16%) compared with homeowners (10%).

The results highlight the growing strain of living costs across Australia, as more households turn to short-term credit solutions to manage everyday financial pressures.

According to the Roy Morgan Single Source survey released on 5 November 2025, 36% of credit card holders leave part of their debt unpaid at the end of each month. The median unpaid balance across all cardholders stands at A$1,037, but variations exist depending on housing status. Mortgage payers have the highest average unpaid balance at A$1,342, renters owe A$911, while homeowners who own their properties outright carry a lower average balance of A$787.

Suela Qemal, General Manager of Financial Services at Roy Morgan, noted that cost-of-living pressures are a key driver of credit card debt. “These trends indicate that higher ongoing living expenses — particularly rising mortgage repayments and rent — are major reasons why many Australians rely on credit to make ends meet,” she said.