M:
Headlines
Summer 25/26
Regional Queensland
Residential
Economy Key drivers
Residential sales
Residential annual rolling sale transactions tallied to 69,506 in the third quarter of 2025 in Regional Queensland, down 5% from the previous quarter and 12% lower than a year ago This was shaped by restrictive lending conditions and an overall lower number of properties listed for sale on the market As a benchmark, over the past five years, the annual average was 81,078 sales.
Share of state annual sales
Regional Queensland made up 54% of the total number of annual residential sales recorded in Queensland at the end of Q3 2025 This was higher than one year ago when the proportion was 53%, and above the 48% share recorded five years ago The change in residential sales activity over the past year saw Regional Queensland (-12%) outpace Greater Brisbane (-15%)
Tracking the total number of sales each year
Regional Queensland
Share of state annual sales, by number
Regional Queensland
Residential sales
Duration -4 days
Regional Queensland residential homes averaged 75 days on market in the year ending Q3 2025, from the time they were listed to the day they went under contract This duration was 78 days a quarter ago (-2 days) and 79 days a year ago (-4 days) A lower number of days on market tends to mean homes are selling faster with more desirable properties, while a higher number of days suggests a slower market with above market values. Looking back over the five-year average, it has taken 116 days to sell a home
Tracking average days on the market
Newly advertised property listings in Regional Queensland were 10.4% lower in the month of September 2025, than the equivalent period last year, as reported by Cotality This change trended below both the -8.5% for the combined regional areas of Australia and -10 3% across Australia
Regional Queensland’s total number of listings in the month of September 2025 were 12.5% below the equivalent period last year, according to Cotality By comparison, the total listings change were -12.9% across the combined regional areas of Australia and -13 3% Australian-wide
Residential property prices across Regional Queensland rose by 9 7% in the year ending Q3 2025, with a 2 4% increase recorded in the most recent quarter This brought the average residential value to $830,500, reflecting a steady upward trajectory in housing demand whilst the number of listings remain lowered Annual residential price growth has averaged 12.6% over the past five years.
Looking ahead, McGrath Research anticipates Regional Queensland residential property prices to increase by 11% by the end of 2025, followed by a further 8% rise in 2026. Factors taken into consideration include the low number of new and total listings, the downward trajectory of annual sales transactions, while a shorter amount of average time is being taken to sell a home
Forecast for average prices
Residential rents Update
Vacancy 1.0%
Regional Queensland residential rental vacancy was recorded at 1 0% in Q3 2025, falling 7 bps in the quarter but in total, 10 bps higher over the past year Generally, 3% vacancy is considered a balanced market between rental supply and demand Below this benchmark is considered to be an undersupplied pool of rental homes. Over the past five years, rental vacancy has averaged 0 8% per year
Tracking residential rental vacancy
Regional Queensland
Yield -27 bps
Residential gross rental yields fell 4 bps in Q3 2025 to be 4 97% across Regional Queensland, whilst being 27 bps less than one year ago. Gross rental yields are a good initial measure of comparing the return of a property investment before expenses are deducted. Investment properties with a yield greater than 5% tends to be most desirable for properties located in regional areas, while below this, tends to indicate high property prices relative to rent, or low rental demand Gross rental yields have averaged 5 29% over the past five years.
Tracking gross rental yield
Regional Queensland
Residential rents Update
Regional Queensland residential rents rose 0.8% in Q3 2025, while increasing 6 5% over the past year, to stand at $660 per week Low vacancy and strong population growth have kept rents elevated, albeit now rising at a slower pace than previous years On average, over the past five years, rents grew 10.0% per year.
Tracking average weekly rents
Forecast for average rents Regional Queensland Rental outlook +6%
Whilst population growth remains solid and the completion of new builds remains low across Regional Queensland, there remains an undersupply of new rental homes As a result, McGrath Research forecast sustained upward pressure on rents of 7% at the end of 2025, with a further 6% rental growth likely in 2026
Regional Queensland
Regional Queensland refers to the area outside of ‘Greater Brisbane’ or ‘Rest of State’ for Queensland as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Guiding you home
Michelle Ciesielski National Head of Research, McGrath Research
www.mcgrath.com.au/research
