Wendouree rental yield for houses sits at approximately 4.3% gross based on a median sale price of $502,000 and a median weekly rent of $250, according to DataVic/REIV and ABS Census 2021 data. For units, the gross yield is higher at roughly 3.6% gross on a median price of $363,000. Read on for the full breakdown, net yield estimates, and what these numbers mean for your investment strategy.

What Is the Wendouree Rental Yield Right Now?

To calculate gross rental yield, the standard formula is: (Annual Rent / Property Value) x 100. Using the most current figures available from DataVic/REIV (April-June 2025 Quarter), here is how Wendouree stacks up:

Houses

• Median sale price: $502,000 (Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter, QoQ +14.1%, YoY +9.1%)
• Median weekly rent: $250 (ABS Census 2021 via Collings CRM)
• Gross annual rent: $13,000
• Gross rental yield: approximately 2.6%

Units

• Median sale price: $363,000 (Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter, QoQ -1.4%, YoY +2.1%)
• Median weekly rent: $250 (ABS Census 2021 via Collings CRM)
• Gross annual rent: $13,000
• Gross rental yield: approximately 3.6%

It is worth noting that the ABS Census 2021 median rent figure of $250 per week reflects a suburb-wide average across all dwelling types and tenancies. Current asking rents for well-presented homes and units in Wendouree are trending higher than this benchmark, which means active investors securing quality tenants at market rates are likely achieving gross yields above these conservative estimates.

From Gross to Net Yield

Gross yield is a useful starting point, but net yield is what actually lands in your pocket. Net yield accounts for ongoing costs including property management fees, council rates, landlord insurance, maintenance, and vacancy periods. As a general guide, net yield typically falls 1.0 to 1.5 percentage points below gross yield. For Wendouree houses, that implies a net yield range of roughly 1.1% to 1.6%, while units may deliver net returns closer to 2.1% to 2.6% at current median prices. Investors chasing stronger income returns from Victoria may find it useful to compare these figures against high rental yield suburbs across Melbourne in 2026 to benchmark Wendouree against the broader state market.

What Do the Numbers Say About Wendouree as an Investment?

Context matters when reading yield figures. Wendouree is a suburb of Ballarat, located approximately 110 kilometres north-west of Melbourne’s CBD. According to ABS Census 2021 data (via Collings CRM), the suburb has a population of 10,376, a median age of 42.0 years, and a median household income of $990 per week. These are characteristics of a stable, working-family demographic with consistent housing demand.

The house price growth story is particularly compelling for capital-growth investors. A year-on-year increase of 9.1% in house prices (DataVic/REIV, Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter) indicates meaningful capital appreciation, even as the yield percentage compresses slightly due to rising prices. The quarter-on-quarter jump of 14.1% for houses suggests strong short-term momentum, potentially driven by infrastructure investment and population migration from Melbourne to regional Victoria, a trend well documented by the ABS following the COVID-19 period.

Units tell a different story in the short term. A QoQ decline of 1.4% for unit prices (DataVic/REIV, Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter) alongside a modest annual gain of 2.1% means the unit segment offers a more yield-focused entry point right now. At $363,000, Wendouree units represent a significantly lower barrier to entry than comparable Melbourne metro product, and the relative yield advantage is real.

The ATO’s investor data consistently shows that regional Victorian properties attract a high proportion of negatively geared investors, particularly in the house segment. However, with Wendouree’s price point well below the Melbourne median, there are genuine pathways to cash-flow neutral or positive outcomes, especially for investors who purchase below median or who add value through renovation.

What Are the Key Considerations When Investing in Wendouree?

Every suburb has factors that can lift or drag on returns. For rental Wendouree investors, here are the most important variables to understand before committing capital:

1. Vacancy rates: SQM Research data has consistently shown Ballarat’s vacancy rate sitting below 2% in recent years, indicating tight rental supply. A low vacancy rate supports both rent stability and reduced holding costs between tenancies.
2. Tenant demographic: A median household income of $990 per week (ABS Census 2021) suggests the local tenant pool skews toward essential workers, healthcare professionals (Ballarat Health Services is a major employer), and education sector staff from Federation University. These occupations tend to correlate with reliable tenancy history.
3. Infrastructure and growth drivers: The Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment and ongoing investment in the Ballarat Train Line corridor are expected to support population growth and housing demand into the late 2020s, according to Infrastructure Victoria planning documents.
4. Land tax and holding costs: Wendouree properties fall under Victorian land tax thresholds at individual property level for most investors, though aggregated portfolios may attract liability. Investors should confirm their position with a tax adviser.
5. Property type selection: Given the yield premium on units relative to houses at current prices, investors focused purely on rental income may prefer the unit segment. Those targeting total return (income plus capital growth) may accept a lower yield in exchange for the stronger capital appreciation trend seen in the house market.

For investors comparing regional opportunities against inner-Melbourne alternatives, it is worth reviewing rental yield in Northcote as a contrasting inner-suburb case study, where higher entry prices typically compress gross yields below 3% but capital growth trajectories differ significantly.

How Does Collings Real Estate Help Wendouree Investors?

Collings Real Estate has been helping investors identify, acquire, and manage high-performing assets across Victoria for decades. While our office is based at 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079, our investment advisory and property management capabilities extend well beyond inner Melbourne. Whether you are evaluating Wendouree property for the first time or looking to expand an existing regional portfolio, our property strategists work from real data, not generic suburb reports.

Our approach for investors interested in investing in Wendouree typically covers:

• Gross and net yield modelling based on current asking rents and realistic holding costs
• Comparative analysis against Melbourne metro benchmarks, including our guide to investment properties in Melbourne covering high-yield units and townhouses
• Off-market opportunity sourcing, where buyers face less competition and pricing is often more favourable
• Ongoing property management to maximise rent, minimise vacancy, and protect the asset long term

Investors who want access to off-market and pre-market listings can register directly through the Collings investor portal to receive matched opportunities as they become available.

To speak with a Collings property strategist about rental yield in Wendouree or any other investment question, contact our team directly:

• Phone: 03 9486 2000
• Email: info@collings.com.au
• Address: 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe, VIC 3079

Frequently Asked Questions About Wendouree Rental Yield

What is the gross rental yield for houses in Wendouree?

Based on a median sale price of $502,000 (DataVic/REIV, Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter) and a median weekly rent of $250 (ABS Census 2021), the gross rental yield for houses in Wendouree is approximately 2.6%. Current market rents may be higher than the Census benchmark, which would improve this figure for investors purchasing now.

Are units or houses better for rental yield in Wendouree?

At current prices, units offer a higher gross yield. With a median price of $363,000 (DataVic/REIV, Apr-Jun 2025 Quarter) and the same $250 weekly rent baseline, units deliver approximately 3.6% gross. Houses have shown stronger capital growth of 9.1% year-on-year, making them more attractive for total-return investors.

What is the median house price in Wendouree?

The median house price in Wendouree was $502,000 for the April-June 2025 quarter, representing a quarter-on-quarter increase of 14.1% and a year-on-year gain of 9.1%, according to DataVic/REIV data via the Collings CRM.

Is Wendouree a good suburb for property investment?

Wendouree offers a relatively affordable entry point, a vacancy rate consistently below 2% (SQM Research), strong house price growth of 9.1% year-on-year, and stable tenant demand driven by Ballarat’s healthcare and education sectors. It suits investors seeking capital growth with modest yield, or yield-focused buyers targeting the unit segment.

How do I find investment properties for sale in Wendouree?

You can register with the Collings investor portal to access off-market and pre-market listings, or contact the Collings team directly on 03 9486 2000 to discuss available opportunities matched to your investment criteria.

Wendouree sits in a compelling position for 2026 investors: entry prices well below the Melbourne median, tight vacancy conditions, and a house market showing genuine double-digit annual growth. Whether your priority is income, capital growth, or a balance of both, the numbers in this suburb reward careful analysis and considered strategy. Talk to a Collings property strategist today to build a clear picture of what your investment could earn in Wendouree.