Rental prices in Queensland have reached record levels with no signs of easing anytime soon, as Brisbane and surrounding areas now record an average weekly rent of AUD 670. In a striking development, one area has even become more expensive than Sydney, where the average weekly rent stands at AUD 760.
For example, the Gold Coast has seen a sharp surge in rents, with the average weekly price reaching AUD 850 (equivalent to more than AUD 44,000 annually), surpassing Sydney.
As for the overall average rent in Queensland, at AUD 670 per week (around AUD 35,000 annually), it has become a heavy burden on many households, now consuming more than one-third of their income and placing them in a state of “rental stress.” Queensland currently tops the list of Australian states in terms of rent increases.
In Brisbane specifically, the average rent for houses rose by 3.1% over the past three months and by 6.3% throughout 2025, reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of Australia’s most challenging housing markets. According to Anne Flaherty, Chief Economist at the REA Group, the lack of improvement in future conditions across the state has become evident.
Flaherty explained that the pace of growth in house prices and rents has far outstripped wage increases, leading households to spend a larger share of their monthly income on housing compared with previous years.
Northern regions such as Cairns have also seen a jump of 4.2% in the last quarter and 8.7% year-on-year, pushing rents up to AUD 625 per week, representing an additional annual increase of about AUD 2,600. Even in Townsville, rents rose at an annual rate of 10% to reach around AUD 550 per week.
Flaherty confirmed that the rental crisis has become the norm rather than the exception, as paying more than one-third of income on rent is now affecting a growing number of households, reflecting the intense pressure of the situation.
Even relatively cheaper traditional rentals, such as apartments, have not been spared. Apartment rents in Brisbane rose by 8.3% over the year, exceeding the increase for houses, which stood at 6.2%. Flaherty attributed this trend to limited supply and continued demand within urban areas.
Despite the current crisis, Flaherty pointed to some hope with increased activity from property investors, which could help ease the shortage of rental housing in the future. Government programs such as the 5% deposit scheme may also help reduce demand by offering alternative home-ownership opportunities to current renters.
In conclusion, Flaherty expects rents to continue rising, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. Although the sharp escalation seen in 2022 and 2023 has eased, prices are set to keep climbing through 2026, maintaining pressure on the rental market but in a relatively more stable manner.
