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Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Additional Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare |
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It's been a tough couple of years for Australian tenants. The twelve months to April 2023 saw an unprecedented increase to average rental rates across Australia, and while the pace of growth slowed towards the end of the year, 2024 saw this ramp back up again. January-March '24 saw the highest quarterly increase to rent for houses in 17 years according to Domain, with nearly every capital city at a record high. In an attempt to ease the strain, the 24/25 Federal Budget included a 10% boost to Commonwealth Rent Assistance, and $1.9 billion toward providers of social housing and affordable dwellings.
There are signs things are starting to even out, with the June '24 quarter seeing much softer rent growth, even declining rates in some cities. However, it still remains a very difficult time to be a renter.
The other side of the coin is increasing rental income for investment property owners. While some landlords face restrictions that limit their earning potential, rental yield - the percentage of a property's value it can earn in rent each year - has increased. According to Your Investment Property Magazine data, some Australian suburbs have even cracked 15% in annual rental yield. For investors prioritising cash flow, some of these high yield areas might represent a great opportunity for a positively geared rental property.
How important are rental yields to property investors?
For investors, rental yield is a useful way to assess annual income, but there are plenty of other things to take into account as well, like vacancy rates, planned investment and other factors that could suggest strong capital gains.
Simon Pressley of Propertyology says basing property investments primarily on rental yields is a "flawed strategy".
"At the end of the day, a few thousand dollars of income per year is nowhere near enough to retire on," Mr Pressley told Savings.com.au.
"But a property that produces strong capital growth means hundreds of thousands of dollars' equity, enabling the investor to repeat the process, plus the option of converting equity into cash during the retirement years."
He said the most important consideration should be selecting an area with good economic fundamentals as this is what drives capital growth.
"The next most important priority is buying a conventional asset - a standard house - in a central part of town. When it comes to sell, the conventional nature will attract a larger resale audience than other assets," Mr Pressley said.
"Apartments produce higher rental yields than a conventional house in the same location, but Propertyology's studies confirm that investing in asset types other than detached houses is surrendering half, or more, of your capital growth potential."
What gives a suburb a strong rental yield?
Rental yield is how much income a property generates relative to its value. It's calculated by dividing the annual rental income a property generates by its market value.
When the value of a property increases dramatically, the rental yield can decrease, because the rental income is smaller relative to the property value, but that doesn't mean the property is earning any less.
Therefore, rental yields tend to be higher in areas where the demand for rent is higher than the demand for owner occupied property. Take Tom Price in the Pilbara region of WA, where rental yields for houses are the highest in the nation. Pilbara is one of Australia's biggest mining regions, with huge deposits of minerals like iron ore. Demand for property is therefore more transient, as miners come and go. In April '24 the average rental yield of a house in Tom Price was 18.4%.
Karratha, Coolgardie and Mount Isa are some of the other LGAs with a heavy mining presence that feature prominently in the below lists.
The majority of the suburbs in the top 100 lists lie outside of the capital cities of the respective states. For houses, only Point Lookout (Brisbane, 18th), Mandogalup (Perth, 28th), Darwin City (78th), Cockburn Central (Perth, 84th) and Gray (Darwin, 86th) made the cut from capital city statistical divisions. For units, as you'd probably expect, the capitals made a slightly better showing. There were 17 Greater Darwin Suburbs, 14 from Perth, four from Melbourne and one each from Brisbane and Canberra that made the list. That still means well over half of the top rental yield suburbs came from regional markets.
Australia rental yields in 2024
Rental yields increase when the cost of renting becomes greater relative to property values. Throughout 2023, property prices increased, but at a lesser rate than rents. Here's how we were sitting as of April '24:
State | Area | Property Type | Median Price | Weekly Median Advertised Rent | Gross Rental Yield |
ACT | Metro | Houses | $950,000 | $670 | 3.7% |
ACT | Metro | Units | $600,000 | $560 | 4.9% |
NSW | Metro | Houses | $1,425,000 | $750 | 2.8% |
NSW | Metro | Units | $780,000 | $675 | 4.5% |
NT | Metro | Houses | $592,000 | $650 | 5.8% |
NT | Metro | Units | $367,500 | $530 | 7.2% |
QLD | Metro | Houses | $880,000 | $600 | 3.7% |
QLD | Metro | Units | $605,000 | $560 | 5.2% |
SA | Metro | Houses | $786,000 | $560 | 3.9% |
SA | Metro | Units | $540,000 | $480 | 4.9% |
TAS | Metro | Houses | $665,000 | $535 | 4.0% |
TAS | Metro | Units | $540,000 | $460 | 4.5% |
VIC | Metro | Houses | $880,000 | $550 | 3.3% |
VIC | Metro | Units | $620,000 | $540 | 4.5% |
WA | Metro | Houses | $730,000 | $640 | 5.0% |
WA | Metro | Units | $500,000 | $580 | 6.6% |
NSW | Country | Houses | $740,000 | $550 | 3.9% |
NSW | Country | Units | $615,000 | $460 | 3.9% |
NT | Country | Houses | $425,000 | $550 | 6.4% |
NT | Country | Units | $315,750 | $430 | 7.2% |
QLD | Country | Houses | $630,000 | $590 | 5.1% |
QLD | Country | Units | $607,000 | $525 | 4.7% |
SA | Country | Houses | $430,000 | $390 | 4.9% |
SA | Country | Units | $300,000 | $300 | 5.1% |
TAS | Country | Houses | $535,000 | $440 | 4.3% |
TAS | Country | Units | $417,500 | $380 | 4.8% |
VIC | Country | Houses | $580,000 | $460 | 4.2% |
VIC | Country | Units | $415,000 | $380 | 4.8% |
WA | Country | Houses | $460,000 | $600 | 6.9% |
WA | Country | Units | $350,000 | $550 | 8.5% |
Source: CoreLogic. Data reported to the period ending June 2024. Median values account for sales transactions over three months.
The outlook for the remainder of 2024 is highly uncertain. Much will depend on the RBA cash rate, which is a significant variable contributing to both property prices and rental rates, since landlords typically pass the cost of higher interest rates on to tenants. Governor Michelle Bullock has been steadfast that the RBA will do "whatever is necessary" to combat inflation. Given the upside surprise in the Q1 inflation read, many analysts now expect that the cash rate will remain at 4.35% at least until next year. Some have even suggested the hiking cycle is not done yet.
Conventional wisdom is that the relationship between interest rates and property prices is inverse: as rates go up, prices go down since borrowing power is reduced. However, the Australian property market defied this in 2023, experiencing strong growth despite several interest rate rises, so there are certainly no guarantees.
As far as rental rates are concerned, Domain Chief of Research and Economics Dr Nicola Powell says a "tipping point" is likely at some stage this year.
"We are seeing the number of prospective tenants per rental listing ease, suggesting some pressure has been lifted," she said.
"This could be an early indicator of an increase in vacancy rates sometime this year."
Read more:
- Highest rental yields in NSW
- Highest rental yields in VIC
- Highest rental yields in QLD
- Highest rental yields in WA
- Highest rental yields in SA
Top 100 rental yield suburbs in Australia for houses
Rank | State | Postcode | Suburb | House | Median Price | Weekly Median Advertised Rent ($) | Gross Rental Yield |
1 | QLD | 4804 | Collinsville | H | 160000 | 368 | 12% |
2 | WA | 6714 | Millars Well | H | 483750 | 1100 | 12% |
3 | WA | 6442 | Kambalda East | H | 147500 | 330 | 12% |
4 | QLD | 4825 | Mornington | H | 222500 | 495 | 12% |
5 | WA | 6442 | Kambalda West | H | 175000 | 380 | 11% |
6 | WA | 6714 | Nickol | H | 560000 | 1200 | 11% |
7 | WA | 6714 | Baynton | H | 682500 | 1400 | 11% |
8 | WA | 6510 | Moora | H | 187500 | 380 | 11% |
9 | WA | 6432 | Boulder | H | 275000 | 550 | 10% |
10 | WA | 6714 | Pegs Creek | H | 497500 | 988 | 10% |
11 | WA | 6721 | Port Hedland | H | 732250 | 1450 | 10% |
12 | QLD | 4000 | Brisbane City | H | 380000 | 750 | 10% |
13 | WA | 6167 | Mandogalup | H | 349000 | 680 | 10% |
14 | WA | 6415 | Merredin | H | 190000 | 370 | 10% |
15 | WA | 6722 | South Hedland | H | 465000 | 900 | 10% |
16 | QLD | 4183 | Point Lookout | H | 1800000 | 3475 | 10% |
17 | QLD | 4744 | Moranbah | H | 340000 | 650 | 10% |
18 | WA | 6728 | Derby | H | 210000 | 400 | 10% |
19 | QLD | 4745 | Dysart | H | 205000 | 390 | 10% |
20 | WA | 6714 | Bulgarra | H | 499500 | 950 | 10% |
21 | WA | 6753 | Newman | H | 325000 | 600 | 10% |
22 | QLD | 4825 | Pioneer | H | 220000 | 405 | 10% |
23 | WA | 6346 | Ravensthorpe | H | 202500 | 370 | 10% |
24 | QLD | 4825 | Parkside | H | 235500 | 430 | 9% |
25 | NSW | 2880 | Broken Hill | H | 190000 | 340 | 9% |
26 | WA | 6432 | Victory Heights | H | 307500 | 550 | 9% |
27 | QLD | 4825 | Happy Valley | H | 270000 | 480 | 9% |
28 | VIC | 3490 | Ouyen | H | 187175 | 328 | 9% |
29 | SA | 5540 | Port Pirie West | H | 195000 | 340 | 9% |
30 | QLD | 4630 | Monto | H | 202500 | 350 | 9% |
31 | WA | 6430 | West Lamington | H | 400000 | 690 | 9% |
32 | NSW | 2480 | South Lismore | H | 270000 | 465 | 9% |
33 | WA | 6430 | South Kalgoorlie | H | 319500 | 550 | 9% |
34 | QLD | 4714 | Mount Morgan | H | 215000 | 370 | 9% |
35 | WA | 6430 | Kalgoorlie | H | 350000 | 600 | 9% |
36 | WA | 6430 | Somerville | H | 484500 | 820 | 9% |
37 | QLD | 4825 | Townview | H | 260000 | 440 | 9% |
38 | WA | 6315 | Wagin | H | 195000 | 330 | 9% |
39 | QLD | 4825 | Sunset | H | 278000 | 470 | 9% |
40 | NSW | 2869 | Peak Hill | H | 177500 | 300 | 9% |
41 | QLD | 4718 | Moura | H | 225000 | 378 | 9% |
42 | QLD | 4824 | Cloncurry | H | 227500 | 380 | 9% |
43 | QLD | 4717 | Blackwater | H | 225000 | 375 | 9% |
44 | WA | 6348 | Hopetoun | H | 270000 | 450 | 9% |
45 | NSW | 2480 | Girards Hill | H | 325000 | 540 | 9% |
46 | WA | 6016 | Glendalough | H | 520000 | 850 | 9% |
47 | WA | 6430 | Piccadilly | H | 368000 | 600 | 8% |
48 | NT | 860 | Tennant Creek | H | 270000 | 440 | 8% |
49 | QLD | 4700 | Depot Hill | H | 228000 | 370 | 8% |
50 | WA | 6530 | Rangeway | H | 216008.5 | 350 | 8% |
51 | WA | 6390 | Boddington | H | 303750 | 490 | 8% |
52 | QLD | 4470 | Charleville | H | 169000 | 273 | 8% |
53 | WA | 6430 | Hannans | H | 469500 | 750 | 8% |
54 | WA | 6725 | Bilingurr | H | 666250 | 1050 | 8% |
55 | QLD | 4825 | Soldiers Hill | H | 314500 | 495 | 8% |
56 | WA | 6726 | Cable Beach | H | 645000 | 1000 | 8% |
57 | WA | 6725 | Djugun | H | 680000 | 1050 | 8% |
58 | QLD | 4806 | Home Hill | H | 230000 | 350 | 8% |
59 | SA | 5540 | Solomontown | H | 210000 | 315 | 8% |
60 | TAS | 7469 | Zeehan | H | 200000 | 300 | 8% |
61 | NT | 850 | Katherine East | H | 350000 | 523 | 8% |
62 | QLD | 4808 | Brandon | H | 220000 | 328 | 8% |
63 | NSW | 2835 | Cobar | H | 212500 | 315 | 8% |
64 | SA | 5700 | Port Augusta | H | 216500 | 320 | 8% |
65 | QLD | 4723 | Capella | H | 259000 | 380 | 8% |
66 | QLD | 4860 | East Innisfail | H | 259750 | 380 | 8% |
67 | TAS | 7467 | Queenstown | H | 197000 | 288 | 8% |
68 | QLD | 4700 | Rockhampton City | H | 275000 | 400 | 8% |
69 | WA | 6164 | Cockburn Central | H | 450000 | 650 | 8% |
70 | WA | 6530 | Spalding | H | 277000 | 400 | 8% |
71 | WA | 6225 | Collie | H | 320000 | 460 | 7% |
72 | QLD | 4850 | Ingham | H | 245000 | 350 | 7% |
73 | WA | 6713 | Dampier | H | 790000 | 1125 | 7% |
74 | WA | 6317 | Katanning | H | 253000 | 360 | 7% |
75 | SA | 5268 | Bordertown | H | 270000 | 380 | 7% |
76 | QLD | 4730 | Longreach | H | 242500 | 340 | 7% |
77 | WA | 6312 | Narrogin | H | 250000 | 350 | 7% |
78 | QLD | 4825 | Healy | H | 410000 | 573 | 7% |
79 | SA | 5608 | Whyalla Norrie | H | 215000 | 300 | 7% |
80 | WA | 6530 | Utakarra | H | 272500 | 380 | 7% |
81 | WA | 6430 | Lamington | H | 450000 | 620 | 7% |
82 | QLD | 4472 | Blackall | H | 200000 | 275 | 7% |
83 | SA | 5725 | Roxby Downs | H | 285000 | 390 | 7% |
84 | SA | 5690 | Ceduna | H | 260000 | 355 | 7% |
85 | QLD | 4825 | Winston | H | 295000 | 400 | 7% |
86 | QLD | 4487 | St George | H | 255000 | 345 | 7% |
87 | NT | 870 | Sadadeen | H | 399500 | 540 | 7% |
88 | QLD | 4720 | Emerald | H | 370000 | 500 | 7% |
89 | SA | 5608 | Whyalla Stuart | H | 207500 | 280 | 7% |
90 | NT | 870 | the Gap | H | 380000 | 510 | 7% |
91 | NT | 850 | Katherine | H | 380000 | 510 | 7% |
92 | WA | 6710 | Onslow | H | 577500 | 775 | 7% |
93 | QLD | 4737 | Sarina | H | 385000 | 515 | 7% |
94 | QLD | 4680 | Barney Point | H | 282250 | 375 | 7% |
95 | NT | 830 | Gray | H | 400000 | 530 | 7% |
96 | NT | 800 | Darwin City | H | 440000 | 580 | 7% |
97 | QLD | 4807 | Ayr | H | 255000 | 335 | 7% |
98 | NSW | 2480 | Lismore | H | 385000 | 505 | 7% |
99 | SA | 5700 | Port Augusta West | H | 267000 | 350 | 7% |
100 | SA | 5540 | Port Pirie South | H | 290000 | 380 | 7% |
Source: CoreLogic. Data reported to the period ending June 2024. Median values account for sales transactions over 12 months.
Top 100 rental yield suburbs in Australia for units
Rank | State | Postcode | Suburb | House | Median Price | Weekly Median Advertised Rent ($) | Gross Rental Yield |
1 | WA | 6714 | Baynton | U | 456000 | 1325 | 15% |
2 | QLD | 4744 | Moranbah | U | 265000 | 700 | 14% |
3 | SA | 5725 | Roxby Downs | U | 130000 | 310 | 12% |
4 | WA | 6722 | South Hedland | U | 294500 | 700 | 12% |
5 | WA | 6753 | Newman | U | 195000 | 450 | 12% |
6 | WA | 6430 | Somerville | U | 260000 | 600 | 12% |
7 | WA | 6714 | Pegs Creek | U | 413500 | 875 | 11% |
8 | WA | 6714 | Bulgarra | U | 282500 | 595 | 11% |
9 | WA | 6020 | Sorrento | U | 275000 | 575 | 11% |
10 | WA | 6726 | Cable Beach | U | 350000 | 700 | 10% |
11 | WA | 6430 | Piccadilly | U | 243000 | 480 | 10% |
12 | WA | 6721 | Port Hedland | U | 426413 | 838 | 10% |
13 | NT | 812 | Karama | U | 232500 | 450 | 10% |
14 | QLD | 4701 | Koongal | U | 185000 | 340 | 10% |
15 | QLD | 4802 | Jubilee Pocket | U | 288750 | 515 | 9% |
16 | QLD | 4849 | Cardwell | U | 215000 | 380 | 9% |
17 | NT | 830 | Gray | U | 250000 | 440 | 9% |
18 | QLD | 4017 | Deagon | U | 220000 | 385 | 9% |
19 | WA | 6530 | Beresford | U | 241000 | 420 | 9% |
20 | WA | 6725 | Broome | U | 362500 | 625 | 9% |
21 | WA | 6430 | Kalgoorlie | U | 291500 | 500 | 9% |
22 | QLD | 4720 | Emerald | U | 220000 | 375 | 9% |
23 | WA | 6432 | Boulder | U | 265000 | 450 | 9% |
24 | NT | 810 | Millner | U | 280000 | 475 | 9% |
25 | WA | 6167 | Orelia | U | 230000 | 390 | 9% |
26 | QLD | 4870 | Manunda | U | 225000 | 378 | 9% |
27 | QLD | 4870 | Bungalow | U | 230000 | 380 | 9% |
28 | QLD | 4868 | Woree | U | 225000 | 370 | 9% |
29 | QLD | 4811 | Idalia | U | 275000 | 450 | 9% |
30 | NT | 800 | Darwin | U | 410000 | 670 | 8% |
31 | WA | 6230 | Withers | U | 203000 | 330 | 8% |
32 | QLD | 4740 | South Mackay | U | 273000 | 440 | 8% |
33 | NT | 832 | Bakewell | U | 280000 | 450 | 8% |
34 | QLD | 4869 | Edmonton | U | 250000 | 400 | 8% |
35 | NT | 830 | Driver | U | 280000 | 445 | 8% |
36 | NSW | 2400 | Moree | U | 176500 | 280 | 8% |
37 | QLD | 4812 | Hyde Park | U | 215000 | 340 | 8% |
38 | NT | 820 | Parap | U | 367500 | 580 | 8% |
39 | NT | 812 | Marrara | U | 306000 | 483 | 8% |
40 | QLD | 4814 | Cranbrook | U | 206000 | 320 | 8% |
41 | NT | 832 | Rosebery | U | 332000 | 510 | 8% |
42 | QLD | 4878 | Holloways Beach | U | 272500 | 418 | 8% |
43 | NT | 812 | Malak | U | 275000 | 420 | 8% |
44 | QLD | 4680 | South Gladstone | U | 203000 | 310 | 8% |
45 | QLD | 4740 | North Mackay | U | 255750 | 390 | 8% |
46 | WA | 6016 | Glendalough | U | 345000 | 525 | 8% |
47 | SA | 5600 | Whyalla | U | 179000 | 270 | 8% |
48 | WA | 6108 | Thornlie | U | 325000 | 490 | 8% |
49 | WA | 6163 | Hamilton Hill | U | 365000 | 550 | 8% |
50 | NT | 870 | Gillen | U | 300000 | 450 | 8% |
51 | VIC | 3000 | Melbourne | U | 420000 | 630 | 8% |
52 | QLD | 4812 | Hermit Park | U | 234000 | 350 | 8% |
53 | QLD | 4812 | Pimlico | U | 235000 | 350 | 8% |
54 | QLD | 4852 | Wongaling Beach | U | 240000 | 355 | 8% |
55 | QLD | 4815 | Condon | U | 285000 | 420 | 8% |
56 | WA | 6014 | Wembley | U | 340000 | 500 | 8% |
57 | WA | 6053 | Bayswater | U | 374500 | 550 | 8% |
58 | QLD | 4413 | Chinchilla | U | 246000 | 360 | 8% |
59 | QLD | 4810 | Railway Estate | U | 240000 | 350 | 8% |
60 | QLD | 4812 | Mundingburra | U | 240000 | 350 | 8% |
61 | NT | 832 | Bellamack | U | 350000 | 510 | 8% |
62 | WA | 6164 | Yangebup | U | 378000 | 550 | 8% |
63 | WA | 6230 | East Bunbury | U | 325000 | 473 | 8% |
64 | NT | 870 | Araluen | U | 310000 | 450 | 8% |
65 | QLD | 4814 | Douglas | U | 290000 | 420 | 8% |
66 | QLD | 4680 | New Auckland | U | 263250 | 380 | 8% |
67 | QLD | 4812 | Currajong | U | 215000 | 310 | 7% |
68 | QLD | 4814 | Garbutt | U | 250000 | 360 | 7% |
69 | QLD | 4805 | Bowen | U | 277500 | 398 | 7% |
70 | QLD | 4870 | Edge Hill | U | 290000 | 415 | 7% |
71 | NT | 839 | Coolalinga | U | 311000 | 445 | 7% |
72 | WA | 6104 | Ascot | U | 412500 | 590 | 7% |
73 | QLD | 4740 | Mackay | U | 300750 | 430 | 7% |
74 | WA | 6170 | Wellard | U | 358000 | 510 | 7% |
75 | QLD | 4610 | Kingaroy | U | 246250 | 350 | 7% |
76 | VIC | 3053 | Carlton | U | 352000 | 500 | 7% |
77 | NT | 832 | Johnston | U | 360000 | 510 | 7% |
78 | QLD | 4680 | Glen Eden | U | 279000 | 395 | 7% |
79 | WA | 6107 | Cannington | U | 389000 | 550 | 7% |
80 | WA | 6000 | Perth | U | 460000 | 650 | 7% |
81 | WA | 6107 | East Cannington | U | 389500 | 550 | 7% |
82 | QLD | 4812 | Rosslea | U | 255000 | 360 | 7% |
83 | QLD | 4570 | Southside | U | 234000 | 330 | 7% |
84 | WA | 6101 | East Victoria Park | U | 427500 | 600 | 7% |
85 | WA | 6100 | Victoria Park | U | 407000 | 570 | 7% |
86 | VIC | 3660 | Seymour | U | 250000 | 350 | 7% |
87 | VIC | 3032 | Travancore | U | 357500 | 500 | 7% |
88 | NT | 800 | Darwin City | U | 415000 | 580 | 7% |
89 | WA | 6163 | Spearwood | U | 372500 | 520 | 7% |
90 | QLD | 4740 | Blacks Beach | U | 337500 | 470 | 7% |
91 | WA | 6105 | Cloverdale | U | 395000 | 550 | 7% |
92 | QLD | 4802 | Cannonvale | U | 359250 | 500 | 7% |
93 | QLD | 4870 | Earlville | U | 302500 | 420 | 7% |
94 | WA | 6104 | Redcliffe | U | 396500 | 550 | 7% |
95 | WA | 6210 | Dudley Park | U | 350000 | 485 | 7% |
96 | WA | 6030 | Clarkson | U | 397000 | 550 | 7% |
97 | NT | 810 | Coconut Grove | U | 361000 | 500 | 7% |
98 | QLD | 4870 | Manoora | U | 276000 | 380 | 7% |
99 | WA | 6003 | Northbridge | U | 460000 | 630 | 7% |
100 | QLD | 4740 | West Mackay | U | 336000 | 460 | 7% |
Source: CoreLogic. Data reported to the period ending June 2024. Median values account for sales transactions over 12 months.
Image by Jorge Láscar on Flickr
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