Brett Warren , National Director – Metropole Group
If you’ve been watching Queensland’s property market, the latest REIQ June Quarter 2025 Vacancy Rate Report offers a compelling nudge: opportunity is knocking for investors.
Despite a slight statewide easing – from 0.9% to 1.0% – vacancy rates across 34 of 50 regions remain at or below 1.0%. That’s deep in “tight” territory, meaning rental stock is scarce and demand is strong.
Not a single region has hit the REIQ’s “healthy” range of 2.6% to 3.5%, which supports housing mobility and population growth. Translation? The market is crying out for more rental accommodation.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella puts it plainly: “Most of the state could support and sustain greater investment and new dwelling construction.”
Investor interest is already stirring, with ABS data showing Queensland led the nation in annual growth of new investor loans – up 24% to March 2025.
So where are the hotspots? Cook (0.0%) and Goondiwindi (0.2%) are practically out of rental stock. Charters Towers, Maranoa, and Toowoomba are also ultra-tight. These regions may offer strong yield potential and minimal competition for investors.
Even in areas showing mild easing – like the Bay Islands (up +1.2%) and Isaac (+1.0%) – vacancy rates remain well below historical norms. And with unemployment nudging upward, the need for accessible housing near job hubs is only growing.
For investors, this isn’t just about returns – it’s about impact. Strategic investment can help ease the squeeze, support regional growth, and meet the evolving needs of renters, from smaller dwellings to multi-generational homes.
Queensland’s rental market may be holding steady, but it’s far from balanced. For savvy investors, that imbalance could be the edge they’ve been waiting for.
