Investor momentum builds in early learning property market as $30m changes hands

Investor interest in early childhood education and care (ECEC) assets remains strong, with more than $30 million in properties transacted nationwide in recent weeks, underscoring the sector’s stability and growth outlook.

Confidence in Australia’s ECEC property market continues to gain traction, with national commercial agency Burgess Rawson confirming a string of high-value transactions totalling over $30 million in just a fortnight.

Among the recent highlights was the $4.5 million sale of a long-leased childcare property at 261 Haly Street in Kingaroy, Queensland. The asset is leased to Kingaroy Child Care Centre under a 15-year agreement extending to 2038, with two 10-year renewal options.

Backed by a well-established, family-owned provider operating 21 services across Queensland, the 74-place centre is purpose-built and poised for future expansion to 91 licensed places, pending approvals.

Burgess Rawson agents Matthew Wright and Natalie Couper marketed the property, attracting 171 enquiries, a strong indicator of demand for assets offering secure income and essential community value.

“This centre presented a compelling combination of location, operator experience and lease tenure in a regional growth corridor,” Mr Wright said.

Ms Couper added: “Investors continue to recognise the value of quality ECEC assets underpinned by strong fundamentals.”

Further reinforcing this trend, the team also finalised the $5.3 million sale of a centre at 59B Amy Road in Newstead, Tasmania. Occupied by Newstead Child Care Centre, the property attracted 95 enquiries and highlights growing interest in well-positioned childcare investments nationwide.

These transactions follow recent results from Burgess Rawson’s Portfolio Auction 176, where three properties, two G8 Education centres in Victoria and a Goodstart Early Learning site in Queensland sold for a combined $8.8 million.

As government funding, workforce reforms and occupancy trends continue to support sector performance, demand for ECEC real estate is expected to remain strong through 2025.