Head west for the best investment
Stronger yields and a lower entry point make Perth an attractive option for property investors
2 min
Investors after higher yields and a more affordable entry market should look to Perth, a leading property analyst said.
Director of research at CoreLogic, Tim Lawless said Perth has the highest gross rental yields of all the capital cities, while also having a lower position of investment activity, making it one of the best opportunities in Australia right now.
“Additionally, the entry point to the market is more achievable, with Perth home values recording the lowest median dwelling value of the state capitals and prices are proving to be pretty resilient through the rate hiking cycle so far, in fact Perth is the only capital city where housing values have recovered to a new record high,” Mr Lawless said.
He said the lack of interest in investing in Perth was puzzling, although the variations in the mining industry could be a factor.
“It’s hard to explain why investors seem to be less attracted to the Perth market,” Mr Lawless said. “Perhaps there is a level of herd mentality playing out, where more investment is flowing into the Sydney or NSW market despite the unaffordability and low rental yields.
“Another reason why investor demand is weak may relate to the significant volatility in Western Australian housing values during and after the mining boom.”
Prices in the Perth market surged in the decade after 2004 and then fell 20 percent between 2014 and 2019.
While capital gains were greater historically in the eastern states, the entry point in Sydney and Melbourne was also much higher, requiring higher levels of borrowing for many would-be investors.
The sports-car maker delivered 279,449 cars last year, down from 310,718 in 2024.
Chinese carmaker GAC will expand its Australian electric vehicle line-up with the city-focused AION UT hatchback.
Chinese carmaker GAC will expand its Australian electric vehicle line-up with the city-focused AION UT hatchback.
< 1 minGAC Australia has confirmed the AION UT, an all-electric compact hatchback, as the fourth model to join its local range, with the vehicle set to go on sale mid-year.
The AION UT will be the second fully electric model released in Australia under GAC’s AION sub-brand, following the launch of the AION V medium SUV.
The company says the new hatch has been developed specifically with urban driving in mind, combining compact exterior dimensions with competitive interior space.
Designed at GAC’s Milan Design Centre, the AION UT features a fastback silhouette, two-tone floating roof and pixel-style lighting elements intended to give the car a distinctive, tech-forward appearance.
GAC also points to what it describes as the world’s first “eyebrow-style” headlamp design as a visual signature for the model.
Despite its compact positioning, the AION UT rides on a 2,750mm wheelbase, which GAC says allows for interior space that rivals larger vehicles in the same segment.
Full technical specifications, equipment levels and pricing for the Australian market have not yet been announced.
The confirmation of the AION UT comes as competition in Australia’s electric vehicle market continues to intensify, particularly at the more affordable end of the spectrum.
While early EV adoption was dominated by premium models and SUVs, manufacturers are increasingly turning their attention to smaller, city-oriented cars aimed at price-conscious buyers and urban commuters.
GAC entered the Australian market late last year with a mix of petrol, plug-in hybrid and electric models, including the AION V, M8 PHEV and EMZOOM.
The company has indicated it plans to introduce more than 10 models locally over the next five years as part of its long-term Australian strategy.
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