Why can't essential workers afford Australia's rental market?

Anglicare Australia's annual rental affordability snapshot has found that essential workers like nurses, teachers and paramedics can afford only a tiny fraction of rental listings across the country.
The report looked at more than 48,000 listings and the picture is even bleaker for people on lower incomes, with no affordable options at all for those on JobSeeker or a disability support pension.
So what's driving the crisis, and what would actually fix it?