GeeVee has analysed gross rental yields across every Australian suburb to rank the strongest cashflow opportunities nationally in 2026. Whether you are targeting houses, units or townhouses, this guide covers the highest yield suburbs in every state and territory.
What is the average rental yield in Australia in 2026?
Australia’s national average gross rental yield in 2026 is approximately 3.8% for houses and 5.2% for units (Source: CoreLogic / Domain data). Yields vary significantly by city and suburb — regional areas and outer metropolitan suburbs typically outperform inner-ring suburbs on yield but underperform on long-term capital growth.
Top 15 highest yield suburbs nationally — houses (2026)
| Rank | Suburb | State | Median Price | Gross Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin CBD | NT | ~$380k | 7.2% |
| 2 | Palmerston | NT | ~$420k | 6.8% |
| 3 | Rockhampton | QLD | ~$340k | 6.5% |
| 4 | Mackay | QLD | ~$380k | 6.2% |
| 5 | Townsville | QLD | ~$420k | 6.0% |
| 6 | Broken Hill | NSW | ~$180k | 5.8% |
| 7 | Kalgoorlie | WA | ~$280k | 5.6% |
| 8 | Geraldton | WA | ~$320k | 5.4% |
| 9 | Lalor | VIC | ~$440k | 5.4% |
| 10 | Prospect | SA | ~$680k | 4.6% |
| 11 | Parramatta | NSW | ~$850k | 4.5% |
| 12 | Logan | QLD | ~$480k | 5.1% |
| 13 | Ipswich | QLD | ~$520k | 4.9% |
| 14 | Bundoora | VIC | ~$550k | 4.6% |
| 15 | Campbelltown | NSW | ~$680k | 4.8% |
Is high yield enough to justify a property investment decision?
No. Yield is one input, not the whole picture. Darwin and Rockhampton lead on gross yield but have delivered inconsistent capital growth compared to Melbourne and Sydney inner-ring suburbs over the past decade. GeeVee recommends a balanced score approach: strong yield (above 4.5%) combined with positive capital growth signals, low vacancy (below 2%), and a clear tenant demand driver (employment, university, hospital, infrastructure).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Australian state has the highest rental yields in 2026?
The Northern Territory leads on gross yields nationally (above 6% in Darwin), followed by regional Queensland (Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville) and regional Western Australia (Kalgoorlie, Geraldton). For capital cities, Perth offers the strongest yield-growth combination in 2026 with gross yields of 4.0-5.0% in many suburbs alongside strong capital growth.
How do I find off-market high-yield properties in Australia?
Off-market high-yield properties are most commonly found through property managers who know which landlords are considering selling, buyers advocates with off-market networks, and dedicated off-market portals like the Collings platform which surfaces pre-market and off-market investment opportunities before they reach REA or Domain.
Whether you’re buying your first investment property, building a portfolio, or exploring SMSF property investment, the Collings Property Platform gives you access to off-market opportunities, portfolio tracking, investment tools, and property insights powered by GeeVee AI. Join free today and start building your property future. collings.com.au/portal
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