Forrest ACT Property Investment
Unincorporated ACT · 2603 · Score: 68/100 · Buy
Forrest Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Forrest ACT Investment Brief
BUY — 1.5% gross yield on a $4,005,000 median.
THE MARKET
Forrest has compounded at 3.2%/yr over 5 years — a house that cost $3,421,401 in 2021 is worth $4,005,000 today. Properties are sitting on market for 35 days (roughly balanced conditions). At the same growth rate, today's median reaches $4,688,145 by 2031.
- Median house: $4,005,000 | Units: $819,378
- Gross yield: 1.5% | Net yield: -0.0%
- 5yr price CAGR: 3.2%/yr | 3yr forecast: 13.5%/yr
- Population: 1,827 | Owner-occupier rate: 63% | Affluence: Very High
- Supply pipeline: Low — Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 2.0% (improving) | Rental demand: High
- Median weekly rent: $1,145/wk | Days on market: 35 (stable)
- Balanced market — vacancy manageable but monitor trend.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $292/night | Occupancy: 14%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$15,174/yr
- vs long-term rent: $59,540/yr (comparable — LTR offers simpler management)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- ACT Light Rail Stage 2A (Under Construction)
- ACT Light Rail Stage 2B (Woden) (Announced)
- Transport: Canberra Station station 2.2km away
BULL CASE
If Forrest maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.4%, median prices could reach $4,605,750 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Forrest pull back 10-15% from $4,005,000, with vacancy rising to 3.6% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Premium price point limits buyer pool and increases interest rate sensitivity
THE PLAY
Forrest presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and high rental demand supports entry at current price levels. Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 1.5% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current cooling phase of the market cycle.
- Entry range: $3,604,500 – $4,405,500
- Minimum gross yield to target: 4.5%
- Watch signal: vacancy dropping below 2% and days on market falling below 35
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
high confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 3.2% + 10yr CAGR 3.9%
- +Above-average population growth (1.9%/yr)
- +Low rental vacancy (2.0%) — constrained supply
- −High supply pipeline (22865 new approvals) — may cap price growth
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
4,928
2020
5,078
2021
6,172
2022
3,856
2023
2,831
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 2603
Decile 10 of 10 — Low disadvantage
Population
10,306
Education (IEO)
10/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
9/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Forrest ACT data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $1145/wk median rent for Forrest. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Schools
In your catchment
These are the government-school zones containing this suburb centroid. Specific addresses within the suburb may fall in different catchments — confirm with the school directly.
Analyse a Property in Forrest
Get instant STR rules, granny flat feasibility, rental yield, and full investment strategy comparison for any address in Forrest.
Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.