Randwick Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Randwick NSW Investment Analysis
SUBURB INVESTMENT BRIEF — Randwick, NSW 2031 LGA: Randwick Generated: 2026-04-11 | Estait AI Analysis
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overall Score: 71/100 — Buy
Randwick rates as "Buy" due to tight rental market (1.4% vacancy), strong short-term rental performance.
Randwick sits in a growth phase of the property cycle with an overall investment score of 71 out of 100. This assessment reflects the suburb's growth trajectory, rental market health, economic resilience, and infrastructure positioning within the NSW market.
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MARKET POSITION
Median house price: $3,700,000 Median unit price: $1,250,000 Median weekly rent: $950/week Days on market: 31 days (stable)
Randwick commands a premium position in the NSW property landscape. Properties are spending an average of 31 days on market, suggesting balanced supply-demand dynamics.
Comparable suburbs: - Zetland (NSW): Median $2,610,153, yield 2.0%, 1yr growth 8.7% - Glebe (NSW): Median $2,700,000, yield 1.8%, 1yr growth 3.3% - Watsons Bay (NSW): Median $2,733,804, yield 3.1%, 1yr growth 14.7%
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RENTAL MARKET
Gross rental yield: 1.3% Net rental yield: -0.2% Vacancy rate: 1.4% (stable) Rental demand: Very High
The rental market in Randwick is characterised by very high demand with a vacancy rate of 1.4%, which is well below the national average of approximately 2.5%. Vacancy is trending stable, maintaining steady conditions.
Short-term rental data indicates a median nightly rate of $230 with an estimated occupancy of 70%. This translates to an estimated annual STR revenue of $58,765 before expenses. This represents a 19% premium over estimated long-term rental income of $49,400/year, though STR comes with higher management costs and regulatory risk.
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GROWTH OUTLOOK
Population growth (5yr): 0.9% Price CAGR (5yr): 2.0% Capital growth (3yr forecast): 2.2% Supply pipeline: Moderate
Development activity consistent with long-term averages
Infrastructure & transport: - No major infrastructure projects identified. Transport: Well-connected inner-city location
If Randwick maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.0%, median prices could reach $4,255,000 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
At current trajectory (0.9% growth, 1.4% vacancy, 1.3% yield), Randwick offers steady returns with moderate capital appreciation in line with broader market trends.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Market cycle position: Growth Vacancy risk: Low
Key risks: - Premium price point limits buyer pool and increases interest rate sensitivity
Interest rate sensitivity (est. monthly repayment on median house price, 80% LVR): - At 7%: $19,693/month - At 8%: $21,719/month - At 9%: $23,817/month
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Randwick pull back 10-15% from $3,700,000, with vacancy rising to 2.5% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
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LIVEABILITY
Affluence rating: Very High Safety score: 7.5/10 Walkability: 80/100 Owner-occupied: 35%
Schools: - Randwick Public School (primary): Rating 7.0/10 - Randwick Primary School (primary): Rating 6.6/10 - Randwick High School (secondary): Rating 6.8/10
Randwick is a highly sought-after residential area with good safety ratings and strong walkability. The 35% owner-occupier rate indicates a predominantly rental market.
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RECOMMENDATION — BUY
Randwick presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and very high rental demand supports entry at current price levels.
Conditions: Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 1.3% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current growth phase of the market cycle.
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KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. Shortlist properties in the $3,330,000 - 4,070,000 range for deeper analysis 2. Verify current vacancy and rental rates with local property managers 3. Assess STR regulatory environment with local council 4. Model cash flow at 7%+ interest rates before committing 5. Engage a buyer's agent with Randwick market expertise for off-market opportunities
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Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.