Canberra house rents have slipped from their record high, falling $10 to $700 a week in the September quarter as the capital recorded the highest vacancy rate among Australian capitals.

Domain’s September Quarter 2026 Rent Report shows Canberra house rents fell 1.4 per cent from the record set in June, although they remain $10 higher than a year ago.

Unit rents were unchanged at a record $580 a week and are $20, or 3.6 per cent, higher than a year earlier.

Canberra’s vacancy rate rose 0.3 percentage points over the quarter to 1.5 per cent in September, also 0.3 percentage points higher than a year ago.

Nationally, rents stalled across most capitals despite tight rental markets. Combined capital city house rents remained at $700 a week, while unit rents rose $10 to $690.

Sydney and Canberra were the only capitals to record falls in house rents during the quarter, while Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne recorded no increase.

Domain chief residential economist Dr Nicola Powell says the results suggest affordability is increasingly limiting how much rents can rise despite shortages of rental properties.

“Australia’s rental shortage hasn’t disappeared, but it’s no longer translating into higher rents everywhere,” she says.

“Affordability is playing a greater role in determining rental outcomes, even where supply remains exceptionally tight.”

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