Rental vacancy rates hit new low, new PropTrack report finds

Australia’s national rental vacancy rate fell 0.6% down to 1.06% in September according to the latest PropTrack Market Insight Report. It also found that vacant properties are now 55% below March 2020 levels.

Overall, rental vacancies were down in both capital cities and regional areas. Most cities and regions have seen vacancy rates fall on a quarterly basis. The report notes that vacancy rates are now below 1% in three capital cities with other markets potentially joining the list as demand continues to grow.

Cities
Vacancy Rate
Region
Vacancy Rate
Sydney
1.18% (-0.11%)
NSW 
1.22% (-0.08%)
Melbourne
1.15% (-0.6%)
VIC
1.10% (0.02)
Brisbane
0.86% (0.02%)
QLD
0.89% (-0.06%)
Adelaide
0.65% (-0.04%)
SA
0.65% (-0.05%)
Perth
0.71% (0.01%)
WA
1.11% (-0.14%)
Hobart
1.40% (-0.13%)
TAS
1.16% (-0.07%)
Darwin
1.80% (0.10%)
NT
1.50% (-0.49%)
ACT
1.62% (-0.11%)
Average Regional
1.06% (-0.06%)
Average City
1.06% (-0.05%)
National Vacancy Rate 
1.06% (-0.06%)

Sydney's vacancy rate slid to 1.18%, while Melbourne followed closely with a rate of 1.15% on a monthly basis. Both cities continue a trend of quarterly decline in rental vacancies, mirroring the national trend.

On the other hand, vacancy rates held relatively steady in Brisbane, rising a slight 0.02 percentage points to 0.86%, while Adelaide and Perth recorded the lowest vacancy rates with 0.65% and 0.71% respectively. Hobart saw the sharpest drop in capital vacancies over the month, falling by 0.13 percentage points to 1.4%. 

Regional areas haven’t been immune either. Apart from Victoria, regional vacancy rates have dropped, with regional South Australia at 0.65% and Queensland at 0.89%. However, the biggest decline so far has been in the Northern Territory with a monthly fall of 0.45%

How will renters be affected by lower vacancy rates?

While cities and regional areas have seen variable rates of decline, the broadly consistent fall to 1.6% on average points to a tougher rental market.

“Declining vacancy rates are increasing competition for rentals and placing growing pressure on rents.” says PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty. “As a result, rents are predicted to continue rising at above-trend levels over the coming months, particularly in the capitals.”

In the long run, It remains to be seen whether recent legislation and the increasing pipeline of build-to-rent properties will help to alleviate the tight market for both renters and prospective home buyers

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Last updated 30 October 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

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    $2,852
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    Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.

  • Unloan Variable

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  • Fixed Express Home Loan

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  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal and Interest
    Interest rate
    5.54 % p.a.
    Fixed 2 years
    Comparison rate
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    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,852
    Go to site

    Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.

  • Fixed Express Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
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    Fixed 2 years
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    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,852
    Go to site

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  • Fixed Rate Home Loan

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    Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.

  • Fixed Rate

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  • Variable Home Loan

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  • Unloan Variable

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  • Express Home Loan

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  • Elevate

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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

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