Regional Victorian and NSW towns see strongest rent growth in a year, Domain data shows

Domain's September‑2026 data shows rent hikes of up to 18.5% in smaller regional towns across Victoria and New South Wales.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:23:33 GMT

Domain's September‑2026 rent report shows that several smaller regional towns in Victoria and New South Wales posted the steepest annual increases in asking rents, with growth rates ranging from 15% to 18.5% over the year to September.

What happened

In Victoria, Glenelg Shire recorded the highest rise at 17.8% – weekly asking rents moved from $450 to $530. Mount Alexander followed with a 15% increase, taking weekly rents from $500 to $575, and the Northern Grampians region posted a 10.3% jump. Other Victorian areas such as Campaspe and Golden Plains each saw 10% growth. By contrast, traditionally lifestyle‑focused LGAs like Alpine, Latrobe, Mansfield and Indigo showed little change.

In New South Wales, the Berrigan Shire led with an 18.5% rise to a median $480 per week. Bellingen recorded an 18.2% increase to $650, Liverpool Plains rose 17.5% to $470, and Moree Plains climbed 15.4% to $450. The median asking rent for a house across regional NSW reached $640 a week, 4.9% higher than a year earlier.

What the reports add

Both SMH articles cite the same Domain Rent Report but highlight different regions. The Victorian piece notes that overall house rents in regional Victoria have flat‑lined, emphasizing the disparity between smaller markets and larger lifestyle destinations. The NSW article adds that a strong agricultural season and an influx of new residents have amplified demand, while also pointing out that rent growth has slowed in the three months to September.

What was said

Domain chief residential economist Dr Nicola Powell was quoted in both outlets. In the Victorian story she said, “What’s interesting is that it’s the smaller regional markets rather than those…,” highlighting the uneven nature of rent growth. In the NSW story she added, “Affordability constraints are becoming…,” noting a slowdown in the pace of rent increases.

How it came about

Domain’s findings follow a broader national trend of record‑high rents reported earlier in October, when median asking rents in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne hit historic levels (record‑rents‑australia). The surge in regional rents reflects limited rental stock as investors pull back, pushing tenants toward smaller towns where supply is tighter.

Key facts

Glenelg Shire's weekly asking rent rose 17.8% to $530 (smh.com.au)
Mount Alexander's weekly asking rent rose 15% to $575 (smh.com.au)
Berrigan Shire's weekly asking rent rose 18.5% to $480 (smh.com.au)
Domain chief residential economist Dr Nicola Powell commented on the uneven rent growth (smh.com.au)
Median asking rent for a house in regional NSW reached $640 a week (smh.com.au)