According to Domain, across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, there are properties being rented for 15 to 20% less than they were in 2016. 

The largest falls have come in Melbourne, where the median asking rent price of $430 a week has now been surpassed by every other capital city.

Rents in almost one in five suburbs across the city are lower than in 2016, with much of the fall coming in the past year. 

Inner-city Southbank in Melbourne had the steepest drop over the past five years, with its median weekly asking rent now $400, about 26% below 2016 levels.

Apartment rents in the Melbourne CBD, inner-city Docklands, Caulfield East in the inner south and MacLeod in the north-east were also down more than 20%.

Domain chief of research and economics Nicola Powell said the closure of international borders has left unit supply outpacing demand with fewer international students to fill inner city apartments. 

Missing international students have had a direct effect on landlords who specialise in leasing residences to these tenants, and fewer students means increased vacancies and lower rents.

This is seen in CBD vacancy rates remaining elevated despite other markets tightening.

A recent report from Juwai IQI estimated Victoria lost $742 million of its foreign student revenue in 2020.

Sydney and Brisbane

In Greater Sydney, unit rents were lower than 2016 levels across two-thirds of suburbs, with the most significant decline recorded in Revesby in the south-west, with rents down 25%. 

Other suburbs that saw 20% falls since 2016 included Millers Point, Mortlake, Harris Park, and North Ryde.

In Brisbane, eight suburbs experienced cheaper house rents, with Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane experiencing falls of more than 16%.

The largest drop in unit rents was in the Brisbane CBD, where the median was down 13% on 2016 levels.

Domain attributed high levels of development having the biggest impact on rental prices.

NSW puts plan in place for return of international students

According to Juwai IQI, New South Wales ranked second behind Victoria in terms of both absolute and the proportion of revenue lost due to the lack of international students.

Overall, NSW saw a drop of $675.5 million from 2019 to 2020 in international student-generated revenue.

This has greatly impacted the rental market, with high vacancies in the CBD putting downward pressure on the market. 

Earlier this month, the NSW and ACT government announced a pilot plan to enable the staggered return of fully vaccinated international students to resume their studies.

The first phase of the plan is to bring back 500 students by the end of the year.

This plan was backed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which allowed the collaboration to proceed.

"The authorisation provides the universities with an exemption from competition law so they can collaborate and follow through with the NSW Government's policy to allow for the return of international students to local universities," ACCC Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said.

"By being able to use the same travel provider, for example, the process is simpler and easier for the universities, students and government agencies to handle international arrivals and quarantine arrangements.

"A travel provider is also more likely to be able to source more economic flights than if students purchased their airfares independently."

The participating universities are:

  • Australian Catholic University
  • Australian National University
  • Charles Sturt University
  • Southern Cross University
  • Macquarie University
  • University of Canberra
  • University of Newcastle
  • University of New England
  • University of New South Wales
  • University of Notre Dame
  • The University of Sydney
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Western Sydney University
  • University of Wollongong

Advertisement

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest 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 TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
5.69% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,319
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$530
90%
Featured
  • Available for purchase or refinance. 90% LVR
  • Fast turnaround times. Can meet 30-day settlement
  • No monthly or ongoing fees, split with low-rate variable loan
Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,396
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
Featured Apply in minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
Disclosure
6.09% p.a.
6.11% p.a.
$2,421
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
Featured
  • No annual fees – None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
  • Redraw freely – Access your additional payments when you need them
  • Home loan specialists available today
Disclosure
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning


Image by Jane Slack-Smith via Unsplash





Ready, Set, Buy!


Learn everything you need to know about buying property – from choosing the right property and home loan, to the purchasing process, tips to save money and more!

With bonus Q&A sheet and Crossword!

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy