New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the number of homeless people in the country rose by 17% between 2006 and 2011.
According to the bureau, much of the increase was accounted for by migrants.
Welfare charities in Australia say the rental housing market has become increasingly unaffordable, pushing accommodation beyond the reach of those at the bottom of the ladder, the ABC reports.
When overall population growth is taken into account, the rate of homelessness is estimated to have risen 8% over the five-year period.
