Rental Market Update: Growth Slows as Affordability Bites
Summary
Australia’s rental market shows signs of rebalancing, with the rapid growth in asking rents stalling in several capital cities as tenants reach their financial limits. While rents remain at record highs, the pace of increase has slowed, indicating an “affordability ceiling.”
Key Points
- Market Shift: House rents fell or were flat in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Darwin last quarter. Nationally, unit rents were stagnant.
- Record Highs Persist: Sydney’s median house rent hit a new high of $800/week. Most capital city unit rents are at record levels.
- Affordability Crisis: Domain states an income over $100,000 is often needed to cover weekly outgoings, highlighting severe affordability pressures.
- Diverging Trends: Growth now heavily depends on location and property type (house vs. unit). The market is “no longer moving in one direction.”
- Tight Supply: Rental vacancy rates remain critically low, especially in Hobart (0.3%) and regional areas (0.9%).
- Future Outlook: Domain expects rental pressures may gradually ease from 2026, aided by increased investor activity and first-home buyer support. However, a potential interest rate rise in 2025 could increase demand and put upward pressure on rents.
租赁市场更新：承受能力达极限，增长放缓
摘要
澳大利亚租赁市场出现再平衡迹象。由于租户的财务承受能力达到极限，多个首府城市的租金要价增速放缓。尽管租金仍处于历史高位，但上涨速度已减慢，表明市场触及了”负担能力天花板”。
关键点
- 市场转变：上一季度，墨尔本、阿德莱德、珀斯和达尔文的独立屋租金下降或持平。全国范围内的单元房租金停滞不前。
- 历史高位持续：悉尼独立屋租金中位数创下每周800澳元的新高。大多数首府城市的单元房租金处于历史最高水平。
- 负担能力危机：Domain指出，租户通常需要超过10万澳元的年收入才能支付每周开销，凸显了严重的负担能力压力。
- 趋势分化：租金增长现在高度依赖于地理位置和房产类型（独立屋与单元房）。市场”不再朝着一个方向移动”。
- 供应紧张：租赁空置率仍处于极低水平，霍巴特（0.3%）和偏远地区（0.9%）尤为严重。
- 未来展望：Domain预计，随着投资者活动增加和首次购房者支持政策的持续，租赁压力可能从2026年开始逐步缓解。然而，2025年可能的利率上调可能会增加租赁需求，从而给租金带来上行压力。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-15/rental-market-capital-city-rents-domain-lack-of-affordability/106223682