The 5 most pet-friendly suburbs in Australia for renters

In the not-so-distant past, renting for pet owners often meant hiding Buddy’s dog bowl or Coco’s litter tray before your bi-annual property inspection. Today, across Australia, pet-friendly rentals are no longer a bonus – they’re fast becoming a deciding factor in where people choose to live.

New data from Domain shows the rental market has shifted into a lifestyle-led era. Features once considered 'nice to have', like an on-site gym, pool and pet-friendly policies, are now powerful drivers of demand. For many renters, especially those who adopted pets during the Covid years (remember those?), finding a rental that suits both human and furry family members is essential.

The top 5 pet-friendly suburbs in Australia for renters

1. Phillip, Canberra
2. Wentworth Point, Sydney
3. South Brisbane
4. Braddon, Canberra
5. Belconnen, Canberra

Canberra claimed three of the top five spots for pet-friendly rental suburbs in Australia, proving you don’t have to sacrifice city living to have a furry friend. Phillip, Braddon and Belconnon all offer green space, convenience and contemporary developments designed to accommodate pets. Meanwhile, Sydney's Wentworth Point and South Brisbane highlight how high-rise living can also cater to pet owners, with a strong supply of apartments that openly welcome four-legged residents.

State rental laws play a big role in how often properties are marketed as pet-friendly. In Victoria and Queensland, landlords must have a valid reason to refuse a pet, so tenants have clearer approval pathways. That means fewer listings need to highlight 'pet-friendly' status, even if pets are widely accepted.

In NSW and the ACT, landlords have more discretion. When pets are approved, it’s more likely to be advertised upfront, boosting visibility in the data. Meanwhile, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory don’t feature on the data collected due to smaller markets, older housing stock and fewer incentives to promote pet-friendly features.

Read on to discover the most pet-friendly suburbs for rentals in each Australian state and territory.

The top 5 pet-friendly suburbs by state:

NSW

1. Wentworth Point, Sydney
2. Lane Cove, Sydney
3. Orange, regional NSW
4. Zetland, Sydney
5. Surry Hills, Sydney

VIC

1. Melbourne CBD
2. Footscray, Melbourne
3. Wallan, Melbourne
4. Pakenham, Melbourne
5. Point Cook, Melbourne

QLD

1. South Brisbane
2. Morayfield, Brisbane
3. Yarrabilba, Brisbane
4. Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast
5. Southport, Gold Coast

SA

1. Mount Barker, Adelaide
2. Munno Para West, Adelaide
3. Adelaide CBD
4. Morphett Vale, Adelaide
5. Davoren Park, Adelaide

WA

1. East Perth 
2. Baldivis, Perth
3. Perth CBD 
4. Mandurah, regional WA
5. Armadale, Perth

ACT

1. Phillip, Canberra
2. Braddon, Canberra
3. Belconnen, Canberra
4. Kingston, Canberra
5. Gungahlin, Canberra

For renters with pets, the message is clear: your four-legged companion isn’t a liability anymore – they’re part of the lifestyle change shaping Australia’s rental future.

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