Buying Investment Property in Victoria: What Every Australian Investor Should Know

Victoria is among the top contenders in the list of Australia's best-performing real estate. Melbourne CBD apartments and city roads, as well as beachside strips along the state's surrounding regional hubs such as Ballarat and Geelong, form a mosaic of opportunity just waiting to be realized by first-time and veteran investors alike. No matter how much you are willing to spend on a property, there are certain core facts you must know if you want to achieve maximum returns from your investment in buying investment property in Victoria.

Understanding the Victorian Property Market

A. Current market trends and statistics

1. Price fluctuations and growth areas

Victoria's residential property market has been solid and sound for the last two years. Melbourne dipped a bit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2024 and the early stages of 2025 have seen a tremendous recovery. Melbourne's median house price has recovered well over $950,000, and some inner suburbs have even set new pre-pandemic highs.

Growth corridors like the west suburb (Werribee, Tarneit) and northern growth (Craigieburn, Epping) are highly sought after because of improved infrastructure, better transport connectivity, and rising population. These growth corridors have investors driven by the prospect of capital growth as well as comparatively lower prices relative to the city center.

New construction, rezoning proposals, and rising residential demand in value suburbs are also growing their investment value. Value suburbs have a quality mix of lifestyle, convenience, and appreciation potential.

2. Rental Yield Analysis

Rental returns are far away spread out throughout Victoria by location, type of property, and rental demand. Regional cities outperform their city counterparts when it comes to rental yield. Bendigo and Shepparton, have average gross rental yields ranging from 4.5% to 5.5%, compared to Melbourne's 3.2% and 4%.

While on-campus and return-to-work figures increase in higher education, Melbourne's inner suburbs have witnessed demand being reawakened, pushing rental demand and rents a week higher, especially for apartments. Lifestyle renters nevertheless continue to chase regional markets, thereby maintaining rental returns lower across the state.

Victoria's vacancy rate remains low at some 1.3% as of early 2025, underpinning rents and creating rental yields.

B. Key regions for investment

1. Melbourne vs. Regional Victoria

Melbourne is still the darling of Victorian property. It has a secure letting market, supported by long-term growth prospects and quality tenant pool. Yet entry costs are still high for new players. Regional Victoria, on the other hand, has become so hip with low entry costs being matched by high returns.

Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo are being targeted by the government with more investment in transport and infrastructure, making them in high demand too. They offer city living with relaxed community life, ideal for families, work-from-home workers, and downsizers. They've been recording steady growth and also enjoy easy access to quality schools and hospitals.

2. Emerging suburbs and their potential

Savvy investors today are shunning the traditional hotspots. Melbourne's outer suburbs are witnessing some of the new growth corridors in areas like Clyde North, Mickleham, and Officer. They are looking at new housing estates, new schools, and office spaces.

Suburbs in Melbourne's local sub-regions are lifestyle-pull-driven and driven by increasing accessibility. The suburbs are drawing in renters and owner-occupiers, causing fierce competition and strong price growth.

Victoria Government emphasis on improving road and rail links along growth corridors also increases the appeal of participating suburbs for long-term investment. As house prices increase, so does rental yield and equity potential.

Financing Your Investment

A. Overview of Financing Options Available

Financing purchasing investment property in Victoria is most important. Principal and interest loans are still preferred by investors. Variable and fixed-rate home loans are versatile based on your strategy.

Other investors also explore offset accounts, redraw facilities, and loan splitting as vehicles to manage sufficient cash flows. A meeting with a mortgage broker will assist you in obtaining the most appropriate lending product that best suits your investment goals.

Other than this, the Victorian government also provides grants and incentives to the investors or the landlords at times so that they invest in green housing or add to the housing stock. Such knowledge will be advantageous for your investment.

Bridging finance, SMSF borrowing, and equity-release plans are becoming more popular, particularly with seasoned investors for diversifying the portfolio.

B. Importance of financial planning and budgeting

It's not just a case of selecting the most desirable suburb. There's also smart money management to work out. Start by setting out your investment goals: capital growth, rental yield, or some combination of the two. Your response will dictate how you will pay for it.

Budgeting is essential. In addition to the purchase price, do not forget to factor in stamp duty, solicitor's fee, agents' fee, maintenance, and slack period when your house can be kept empty. Not budgeting for the surprises ahead will leave your pocket empty.

It is also a sound idea to have a seasoned property investment financial planner on your side. They will be able to recommend tax minimization strategies, like negative gearing or depreciation schedules, to boost your net return.

You will also have to be prepared to review your property's performance on an annual basis. This involves reviewing your mortgage, rental yield, and costs to determine if there has to be any adjustment made to maximize returns.

Conclusion

Victoria's property market provides a winning combination of high growth prospects, diversified locations, and high rental yields. If you're drawn to Melbourne's steady performance or hidden potential in regional cities, smart and sophisticated investors have it all to choose from.

If you're willing to get close and personal with Victorian property investment or would like some guidance on where to start, contact our expert team today at Propxperts. Make your investment aspirations a reality. Take the first step with us and see your money working for you in Victoria's vibrant property market.