The number of new investor loans in the Top End hit a new peak in September 2025, at 47 per cent.
Investor loans in the Northern Territory have hit a record high as tight rental markets and soaring rents drive unprecedented property investment activity.
The PropTrack Westpac Investor Report 2026, released today, revealed the number of new investor loans in the Top End hit a new peak in September 2025, at 47 per cent.
Rents continued to grow in the past year, up 8 per cent in Darwin, while vacancy rates remained tight, making it challenging for renters.
Aerial of Darwin City.
26 Hobart Crescent, Johnston is on the rental market at $800 per week.
REA Group senior economist Angus Moore said the Northern Territory had seen “a big ramp” in investor loans, which was notable despite it being a smaller market than other capital cities.
“We’re seeing quite high price growth in Darwin over the last six months,” he said.
“There are just very few homes for sale across Darwin at the moment – the homes available for sale has dropped by nearly 40 per cent compared to a year ago, which is a very sharp drop.
“This is part of what’s influenced price growth … the demand has really snapped up what’s available.”
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REA Group Senior Economist, Angus Moore.
This three-bedroom house at 34 Mistletoe Circuit, Karama is on the rental market at $690 per week.
Property Shop Darwin principal Tony ONeill said investor enquiry in Darwin had surged over the past 18 months.
“It’s very strong, mainly from interstate through a buyer’s agent,” Mr ONeill said.
“Generally speaking it’s for freestanding houses on house slots which are priced between $400,000 to $600,000.”
He predicted momentum to continue in the market throughout 2026.
“Darwin is recovering form a long downturn and I think we have a lot momentum at the moment,” he said.
“At some point these investors will starting pulling out and slowing down but there’s enough momentum in the local market with buyers to keep it going generally well throughout 2026.
“We are still cheap compared to anywhere in Australia.”
1/6 Henry Street, Stuart Park is up for rent at $650 per week.
National gross rental yields and vacancy rates both declined in the past year, making it challenging for renters while nearly half of enquiries on realestate.com.au from investors were for properties under $700,000.
Across the country, the number of new investor loans increased 64 per cent since its early 2023 low-point, and investors are making up close to their highest share of housing lending
since 2017.
In 2025, more investors were enquiring about homes in Melbourne, with regions in the city making up majority of the top 20 capital city areas with the biggest increase in investor enquiries on realestate.com.au.
This unit at 9/30 Cavenagh Street, Darwin City is on the market for $700 per week.
New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland are around their highest levels since 2017, 2008 and 2007, respectively while in South Australia, the share of loans to investors hit a record high during 2025.
In the last few months of 2025, almost all investor sales (93%) made a profit — the highest level in at least a decade while in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, almost every sale by an investor sold for more than their purchase price.
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