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Property Investment Western Australia Update 2022

Here we explore the property market and key areas to understand the investment benefits that are available in getting you prepared to start investing in Western Australia.
Property Investment Western Australia Update 2022

WA Housing Market

Western Australia’s property market has shown to be relatively stable over the past 10 years. Historically houses in both Perth and Regional WA have shown to maintain their value and have less fluctuation in price when compared to the prices in units. As the below graph indicates the housing market in Perth has peaked in December 2013 with a median price of $552,000.4

Source: Median price (unstratified) and number of transfers (capital city and rest of state)

 

As 2020 saw housing markets across the country impacted by COVID-19, WA was no exception. In June 2020 after the initial impacts of COVID-19 affected the state, the house and unit prices across the state saw a decrease, with Perth property prices hitting their lowest median since September 2011 and regional prices hitting their lowest since September 2018. 

Although the state saw declines in housing prices early on, the trend quickly shifted upward towards the end of 2020 and continuing onto 2021. Over the first three months of 2021, CoreLogic has reported that Perth’s home value index has grown 5% - their fastest rate in 30 years.5 This strong performance to start the year has led REIWA to forecast WA’s housing market to continue this growth as the state is expected to grow by 15% this year.6 As WA’s housing market is expected to see strong performance this year, now is a great time to look at investing in property in WA. 

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WA Economy and Infrastructure

Western Australia’s economy has historically been an export-oriented economy, making up close to half of Australia’s annual goods exports. As 2020 saw the most significant global economic crisis since the GFC, WA’s economy has of course been impacted. In the June quarter of 2020, the state’s economy saw a 6.4% decline, with more than 103,000 jobs lost in the 3 months to May 2020.7 

Despite the initial impacts of COVID-19, the WA government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a quick recovery for the economy towards the end of 2020 and continuing into 2021. In April 2021, WA’s unemployment rate reduced to 4.8%, the lowest rate since 2013 and below the national rate of 5.6%.8

A component of WA’s strong covid recovery includes the commitment made to accelerate major infrastructure projects to generate jobs, stimulate the economy and further connect communities across the state. 

Key WA’s infrastructure projects to aid the economic recovery include:9

  • Road and rail projects

    Connecting suburbs, reducing congestion and supporting local jobs through: 

      • $215 million Mitchell Freeway extension to Romeo Road
      • $400 million Tonkin Gap extension
      • $100 million for improving 1400km of roads across WA.

  • Education support

    Building high quality metropolitan and regional public schools, investing in new and upgraded facilities for secondary schools and delivering new early learning centres to areas in WA experiencing high population growth. 

  • Community infrastructure

    Supporting physical and mental health through

      • $159 million Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund
      • $12 million Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities fund
      • $4.65 million in funding for state sporting associations.

  • $60 million maintenance blitz

    Investment to maintain public assets, such as police and fire stations, and improve local communities such as sporting venues to create immediate jobs and boost local construction.

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Property investor guide

Our free, downloadable guide explains the costs and steps associated with the purchase of an investment property, positive/negative gearing as well as pros and cons of houses vs. units.


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Best Areas in WA to Invest

Being the state’s capital city, Perth is the driving force behind WA’s economy contributing the most to the state in terms of employment and overall economic activity. As mentioned above Perth’s property market is experiencing strong levels of growth to begin 2021, and this coincides with an increase in the average rental yield. As of May 2021, the rental yield for house and units in Perth is 4.1% and 5.3% respectively.10 

These early figures for Perth’s property market in 2021, make it an appealing location to begin your property investment journey. 

Read our guide for more information on investing in Perth here. 

Located in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, Port Hedland is approximately 1,800km north of the Perth CBD. As of March 2021, Port Hedland’s property marketing is experiencing annual growth of 31.1% with an annual median house price of $537,500,11 making it an attractive and affordable location for anyone looking to invest in a coastal WA town. 

84.5% of the property in Port Hedland is currently being rented,12 showcasing the high appeal for renters in this market and highlighting a great area for future property investors.

Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Esperance is approximately 725kms from Perth’s CBD. Known for its amazing beaches and landscapes and quiet suburbs, The Esperance Region is famous for having one of the lowest population densities to be found anywhere. 

 As of March 2021, Esperance’s property market has experienced 8.2% annual growth, with a median house price of $330,000.13 As 50.7% of the property market is being rented,14 the recent growth that this region is experiencing, makes now a great opportunity to begin investing in the market.

WA Investment Property Taxes

When buying an investment property in Western Australia there are some tax considerations that you will need to consider. In WA, you will need to pay transfer (stamp) duty on any property that you purchase.  You can use our handy calculator to understand more about stamp duty and how much you may need to pay here.

When owning an investment property in Western Australia, you may also need to pay land tax and a metropolitan regional improvement tax (MRIT) on the property. Land tax and MRIT is payable if the value of your land exceeds $300,000. MRIT is calculated at a rate of 0.14 cent for every dollar above $300,000, whereas the rate of land tax is dependent on the aggregated taxable value of the land. You can find the full list of land tax thresholds on the State Revenue’s website here to understand what land tax may be applicable to you.

We are here to help

If you’re looking to purchase an investment property and you think WA is the right market for you, speak to your local Mortgage Choice broker to understand what you can afford and what location may be right for you. 

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