Finding affordable housing in regional NSW hasn’t been smooth. I had no knowledge of the steps needed to obtain accommodation and no family or friends that could help me, after moving to Wagga from New Zealand to take up an agency nursing position.

I have been in Australia for just over a year now working as a paediatric nurse, resulting in me being away from my children and partner for long periods at a time, which has been difficult. It was overwhelming and nerve wracking to find accommodation that was near work and within my budget. I started searching for a home once I accepted a permanent position and was told that I had less than four weeks left at the nursing accommodation I was staying at. I was not prepared for the amount of stress that would follow.

I had applied for many homes and attended a few viewings at a time that did not interfere with my work hours. Time was running out so in a moment of desperation I applied without viewing the properties and accepted the conditions as seen on the advertisement.

After many setbacks, I have now found a place to call home, but on my wage, it means around 48 per cent of my weekly pay goes towards rent which, doesn’t leave much leftover once all other bills are paid. If I could describe the struggle of trying to find affordable housing in a couple of words, it would be rejection and upsetting.

Tana Shelford, EN, NSWNMA Wagga Wagga Hospital Branch