New rental availability data reveals how hard it is to find a house in Townsville, Ingham, Ayr and Charters Towers

New data has revealed just how tight the rental market is across North Queensland with no light at the end of the tunnel. DETAILS.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella and Townsville.

There is no light at the end of the tunnel for North Queenslanders searching for rentals with less than one per cent availability across the region.

Charters Towers has the third-worst availability rate in the state, at just 0.3 per cent, with the Burdekin at 0.5 per cent and Townsville at 0.9 per cent.

The rental availability in the Hinchinbrook has remained reasonably steady, despite the significant flooding.

In December 2024, the availability rate was 1.6 per cent, while in the March and June quarters it was 1.3 per cent.

Flood-damaged property in Ingham. Picture: Cameron Bates

The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) June Quarter 2025 Residential Vacancy Rate Report shows that across the state, only four local government areas (LGA) experienced a tightening in vacancy rates – including Townsville, where the vacancy rate dropped by 0.1 per cent. The other regions were Rockhampton, Cassowary Coast and Maranoa.

Fifteen LGA experienced no change and 31 regions recorded a relaxation in the March quarter.

The statewide vacancy rate rose slightly on this lifting tide from 0.9 per cent to 1.0 per cent.

According to REIQ, no region currently falls within the ‘healthy’ vacancy rate range of 2.6-3.5 per cent.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the June quarter results showed Queensland’s rental market was holding relatively steady but remained severely under supplied.

“This continued rental squeeze, while not worsening, is continuing to make a strong case for more investors and more rental accommodation to meet demand,” Ms Mercorella said.

“We’re seeing quarter after quarter of sliver-thin vacancy rate data, showing most of the state could support and sustain greater investment and new dwelling construction.

“There are some positive signs regarding investor interest in Queensland property, which is likely focused in areas where yields remain attractive, and sentiment is stabilising.”

Aerial of Townsville and the Ross River.

The latest ABS lending indicator data shows that Queensland registered the highest annual growth – 24 per cent in the year to March 2025 – in new loans to investors for properties in the state.

Ms Mercorella said regions rely on being able to attract and retain workers.

“A big part of this is being able to secure suitable accommodation nearby,” she said.

“The low rate of vacancies and therefore stifled job mobility is especially problematic, given concerns that unemployment may be starting to rise.”

The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate rose from 4.1 per cent to 4.3 per cent in June, and the Queensland unemployment rate rose from 3.7 per cent to 4.1 per cent.

She said alongside fast-tracking the delivery of new housing, there needed to be a rethink of the type of homes being built to meet needs.

“We must ensure housing diversity reflects modern living arrangements – from smaller dwellings, smaller lot sizes and build-to-rent, to accessible and adaptable housing for an ageing population and even options for multi-generational living,” Ms Mercorella said.

Originally published as New rental availability data reveals how hard it is to find a house in Townsville, Ingham, Ayr and Charters Towers