Regional accommodation supply: what we're seeing in VIC, NSW and QLD
Vacancy, pricing, and standard-of-fit trends across the three states we operate in — and what employers should plan for in the year ahead.
Regional accommodation supply has tightened materially over the last eighteen months across all three states we operate in. Pressure comes from a combination of general rental market conditions, increased workforce mobility, and — in specific regions — reduced short-term rental supply as owners exit the segment. For workforce employers, this is a planning issue, not a crisis, but it requires earlier action than in previous years.
In Victoria, the softest markets remain in the northwest and Gippsland, but even there vacancy rates for suitable four- to six-bedroom properties are noticeably lower than in 2024. Pricing has moved up by around 10-15 per cent on comparable properties, and the standard-of-fit expectations from landlords have risen alongside pricing.
New South Wales presents the most variable picture. Coastal and lower Hunter markets remain very tight, with premium pricing for anything meeting PALM standards. Inland and Riverina supply is more stable, and pricing there has moved less. Employers with flexibility on precise location often find better outcomes 20-40 kilometres from the tightest markets.
Queensland has seen the sharpest tightening, particularly in the Wide Bay, Bundaberg, and Lockyer Valley regions. Seasonal peaks compound the year-round pressure, and employers arriving late in the planning cycle are increasingly finding themselves without suitable options. Booking twelve months ahead, rather than six, is now the pragmatic minimum in these regions.
Standard-of-fit trends are consistent across all three states. Landlords with properties suitable for workforce housing are more selective about tenants, more assertive on maintenance expectations, and more willing to walk away from arrangements that don't meet their expectations. This changes the dynamic for employers — the days of taking whatever was available are largely over.
We manage the sourcing, negotiation, and ongoing landlord relationships as part of the accommodation service we provide. If your workforce planning extends into late 2026 or 2027, now is the right time to have the conversation about where and how you'll be housed.