Bentley, Perth Curtin-Backed Growth & Yield Hub

It depends on your goal. Houses (~$740k–$757k) are for buyers chasing land value, redevelopment potential and exposure to the Bentley Redevelopment Project and Activity Centre Plan. Units (~$600k–$610k) suit investors focused on high yield and deep tenant demand from Curtin and nearby employment hubs. If stretching to a house would leave you “cashflow thin”, a strategically chosen unit can be the smarter move.

The 41.18% 12-month growth reflects a rapid repricing from historically undervalued levels in a market with severe rental shortage and strong Curtin-driven demand. For years, units near a major university traded below what their fundamentals justified. The recent spike has largely closed that gap—future returns are more likely to come from yield and modest growth rather than another 40%+ re-rating in a single year.

Bentley does rank poorly on some safety metrics compared to the broader Perth metro—particularly for stealing and offences against the person. At the same time, the redevelopment plans include 12% public open space, new community infrastructure and CPTED-informed design. The key is micro-location: favour secure, well-managed complexes, strong lighting and passive surveillance, and positions that benefit directly from new infrastructure rather than older, isolated stock.

For houses, ~4.5–4.87% gross is typical at current prices and rents (e.g. ~$750/week on a ~$750k asset). For units, ~5.5–7.44% gross is achievable depending on size, age and location. One-bed and compact student-oriented stock tend to sit at the higher end, while larger 2–3 bed apartments balance yield with broader tenant and resale appeal.

On a median house around $750k, WA general rates imply stamp duty in the ballpark of ~$30,290 (plus settlement and other costs). On a unit around $610k, duty is closer to ~$23,380. We can model your full position—including duty, LMI (if applicable) and fees— and show you how it impacts your borrowing power before you start making offers.

They are central to the investment thesis. DevelopmentWA is delivering 800–1,000 new homes, including social and affordable housing, and Curtin’s Greater Curtin / Exchange precinct is adding 1,000 student beds and major new facilities. In the next 3–5 years, early movers have an opportunity to benefit from current undersupply; longer term, the focus shifts to land value and high-quality, well-located assets that will remain competitive as new supply arrives.

Extremely competitive. Houses selling in ~13 days and units in ~14 days means many sales are effectively done after the first home open. For rentals, historic data shows very low listing stock (e.g. only a handful of units available at times) with dozens leased over the year. Turning up without pre-approval—or buying without understanding local planning and redevelopment context—is effectively leaving money on the table.

Key issues include: proximity to Curtin and transport (a plus), building quality and management in multi-residential complexes, exposure to future construction (noise/disruption) as projects roll out, and crime/safety at a micro level. A careful finance and acquisition strategy should factor in rates (~$2,537.50 p.a. on average), rising insurance and the shift from “cheap growth” to sustainable yield as new institutional supply comes online.