[Buying a property in Australia] Sydney and Brisbane lead the economic recovery in 2025: long-term investment opportunities in Brisbane residential property

[Buying a property in Australia] Sydney and Brisbane lead the economic recovery in 2025: long-term investment opportunities in Brisbane residential property

According to Knight Frank’s Australian Capital View report, investor confidence is recovering strongly, asset prices have reached a low point and sectors are starting to rise. This not only keeps Sydney as the hot city in the Asia-Pacific region, but also allows Brisbane to stand out, thanks to economic growth, infrastructure investment and rising rents in Southern Queensland. The report showed that transaction volume in the first quarter reached A$9.3 billion, 26% more than the same period last year. In addition, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics will bring about major changes, driving urban development and more people moving in, making residential property values even higher. If you have Australian citizenship, from 2026, you can easily buy a house with only a 5% down payment and avoid high insurance costs. Let’s take a look at why Brisbane residential property is a worthy long-term investment, step by step.

Knight Frank chief economist Ben Burston said Sydney remained a top choice for investors with its strong capital markets and international profile. But Brisbane’s appeal is also rising, mainly due to the vibrant economy in southern Queensland, heavy infrastructure investment and continued rental growth in a number of sectors. This is especially good for residential properties, as increased demand will cause prices and rents to rise. Alistair Read, a researcher in the report, said cross-border funds are flowing rapidly and investors are seizing the current low-price opportunities in pursuit of long-term profits. This is not limited to office or retail, but also includes residential property, especially build-to-rent and student accommodation. As developers adjust their investment portfolios, the proportion of real estate is expected to rise, as stock market prices are still high and buying properties directly becomes more cost-effective. Betty has been working in the industry for many years and has seen many clients make money from their residential investments in Brisbane. Compared to Sydney’s high competition and high property prices, Brisbane focuses more on affordability, and the 2032 Olympics will bring new infrastructure and new developments, attracting more people to settle down. With a 5% down payment policy, you can enter the market with less money and enjoy the dual benefits of rental and property appreciation.

The report also mentioned that the market is shifting from debt investment to equity investment, which is a big opportunity for Brisbane residential property. In the past, people preferred debt investments because of falling property prices and rising interest rates; but now, interest rate expectations are falling and the economy is starting to improve, making equity investments more popular. Ben Burston said this would allow more money to flow into real estate, especially residential properties, making investments more long-term and stable. Australia’s advantage is that it is not affected by tariff risks and remains stable in the global market, although some overseas investors may wait and see economic changes for the time being. Brisbane’s retail sector is turning optimistic, with rising incomes and improving investor confidence driving more demand for stores close to homes. While specialist retail investors dominate, for residential investors this means rising rents. The lifestyle sector, such as building rental housing and student accommodation, is busy with construction, with approximately 6,900 student beds and 8,900 rental units underway across the country. This echoes the development of the 2032 Olympics and will boost the residential market. Betty highlighted government policies like reforming the investment trust framework and reducing the build-to-rent investment tax rate to 15 per cent to make residential property more attractive. With various policy supports, you can easily seize these opportunities, especially during the economic boom brought about by the Olympics.

Looking ahead, the long-term value of Brisbane residential property will come from economic recovery and the impact of the Olympics. Knight Frank predicts that investors will become more active as money flows more smoothly and interest rates continue to fall. The 2032 Olympics will bring new roads, neighborhoods and events that will not only make life better, but will also drive up property prices. Compared to Sydney, Brisbane’s residential market is more focused on affordable prices and room for growth. The report shows that rental units and student accommodation projects will continue to increase to support residential demand. Betty suggests buying apartments or townhouses in Brisbane to combine rental income with price appreciation – for example, investing in Olympic-related areas to enjoy the benefits of crowds.

The report confirms that Brisbane residential property is a smart choice for long-term investment. With economic advantages, policy support, Sydney’s complementary role and the 2032 Olympics, properties here will bring good returns with stable growth. Changmei Australia Property is happy to help you, from property selection to immigration advice. Contact us via WhatsApp to discover investment opportunities in Brisbane and start your wealth journey!

【澳洲買樓】買樓比租樓真的更慳錢嗎? 2025 年布里斯本升學與移民的最佳策略

According to the latest data from Domain, an authoritative real estate platform in Australia, it is expected that by 2025, the price growth of stratified units in major Australian cities will exceed that of detached houses. Nicola Powell, head of economics and research at Domain, pointed out that this trend will bring new trends to the real estate market, especially for new buyers who are interested in buying a home, because the prices of stratified units (Apartments) and garden villas (Townhouses) are still relatively attractive to buyers.

Powell noted: “Historically, former houses have generally outperformed strata units in terms of capital growth. However, nothing is absolute and by 2025, we expect strata units in Brisbane, Australia, to outperform houses, which is a rare occurrence.” According to Domain’s year-end summary report, house prices in Brisbane are expected to rise by 5% to 7%, while strata unit prices will rise by 7% to 9%. This makes Brisbane one of the only major cities where strata unit values will grow faster than houses, while strata unit and house values in other cities will grow at similar rates.

Powell analysis points out that this trend will make strata units more attractive for shopping, especially for young buyers to enter the market more convenient. For first-time homebuyers, this will provide opportunities for capital growth and help open their investment path in the real estate market. In contrast, as the price of detached houses continues to rise, the pressure on first-time homebuyers to buy detached houses is gradually increasing. Therefore, it is expected that the growth trend of strata unit values will encourage more people to consider strata units as the first choice for entering the real estate market.

In the past, the Australian real estate market preferred detached houses, reflecting the desire for traditional detached houses and land. However, with the economic pressure and changes in population structure, stratified units have gradually become the mainstream choice. In addition, some buyers have also begun to choose townhouses to replace independent houses with land. If you want to know more about the real estate market in Brisbane, Australia, please contact Betty, Changmei Australia Property, to get the latest market information!