The Perth Metamorphosis

Perth is growing, but the way we deliver housing has not fully caught up with the way people are choosing to live.

As developable land on the urban fringe becomes more constrained and infrastructure comes under increasing pressure, Perth is being steered toward a new pattern of growth. The future lies in making smarter use of well-located established areas close to employment, transport and essential services.

The direction of demand is clear. Smaller, more flexible housing options, particularly apartments and medium-density townhouses, are becoming increasingly important. Traditional life milestones are occurring later, one- and two-person households are increasing, and an ageing population is driving growth in empty-nester households.

Yet supply has not kept pace. Over the past five years, around 88,300 new homes were completed in Western Australia. Of these, only about 11,200 dwellings, roughly 13%, were apartments or units. The remaining 87% were detached houses.

There are early signs of change, with roughly 4,600 apartments and units approved for development over the past year. Even so, higher-density housing continues to represent a relatively modest share of total supply.

If Perth is to accommodate ongoing population growth while preserving affordability, accessibility and liveability, a broader and more diverse housing mix will be essential.

The Winter 2026 edition of Perth Living explores the trends shaping apartment living across Western Australia, from market insights and wellness-focused design to sustainable strata living and Perth’s latest apartment opportunities.

Download the full edition to read the complete article and explore more insights into Perth’s changing residential landscape.