Brisbane’s Momentum Continues: Why the Fundamentals Point to Long-Term Property Confidence
While market headlines often focus on short-term movements, the long-term outlook for Brisbane tells a far more compelling story.
New research from Urbis, one of Australia’s leading independent property economics, planning and market research consultancies, highlights the powerful economic and demographic forces continuing to shape Brisbane’s residential property market. For more than 60 years, Urbis has provided independent research and strategic advice to governments, developers, investors and financial institutions, making its market insights among the most respected in the Australian property industry.
The latest Brisbane Snapshot identifies a city being driven by strong population growth, record infrastructure investment, a diversifying economy and an ongoing shortage of new housing. Together, these fundamentals continue to support long-term confidence in Brisbane’s residential property market and provide valuable insight for buyers, investors and homeowners considering their next move. Download the full report at the end of the story.
Five Key Takeaways of The Brisbane Snapshot Report
BRISBANE’S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN
Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-growing capital city economies, contributing $201 billion to the national economy in 2024 and forecast to grow to $275 billion by 2041. Employment is becoming increasingly diverse, with health, education, professional services and knowledge industries driving long-term economic resilience and housing demand.
POPULATION GROWTH IS DRIVING SUSTAINED HOUSING DEMAND
Greater Brisbane is expected to welcome almost 558,000 additional residents by 2046, taking the population to more than 3.4 million people.
Migration from interstate and overseas continues to fuel this growth, creating sustained demand for quality housing close to employment, transport and lifestyle amenities.
HOUSING SUPPLY IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP PACE
Perhaps the report’s most significant finding is the growing imbalance between housing supply and demand.
The South East Queensland Regional Plan calls for Brisbane to deliver almost 8,000 attached dwellings each year, yet less than half that number has been achieved annually since 2019. Rising construction costs, labour shortages and a limited supply of well-located development sites continue to constrain new apartment delivery.
As Brisbane continues to grow, this undersupply is expected to place further pressure on both property values and rental availability.
RECORD INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IS RESHAPING THE CITY
A record $116.8 billion infrastructure pipeline is transforming Brisbane well ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Major projects including Cross River Rail, Brisbane Airport upgrades, Eagle Street Pier, Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and the new Griffith University CBD campus will improve connectivity, enhance liveability and support continued economic growth long after the Games conclude.
RENTAL CONDITIONS REMAIN EXCEPTIONALLY TIGHT
Rental vacancy rates across Brisbane remain between 0.7% and 1.0%, reflecting one of the tightest rental markets in the country.
Combined with declining rental stock and limited new apartment supply, these conditions continue to place upward pressure on rents and reinforce the need for additional housing across the region.
The Outlook
Taken together, the report paints a picture of a city entering its next phase of growth. A strengthening economy, continued population growth, significant infrastructure investment and constrained housing supply are creating the conditions that continue to support Brisbane’s long-term residential property market.
While no market is without short-term fluctuations, the underlying fundamentals identified by Urbis suggest Brisbane remains well positioned for continued demand across both the owner-occupier and investment markets.
Download the Full Brisbane Market Snapshot
The Brisbane Snapshot from Urbis provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic, demographic and property market trends shaping Brisbane’s future.
If you’re considering buying, investing, selling or simply want to better understand where Brisbane’s property market is heading, download the full report below for detailed insights into the trends influencing South East Queensland’s residential property market.