How Perth’s METRONET Is Influencing Homebuyer Decisions

Introduction: The METRONET Milestone of 2026

February 2026 marks the completion of Perth METRONET. The new Midland Station opens on 22 February, finishing a nearly nine-year infrastructure program that has delivered approximately 72 kilometres of new rail and 23 new or upgraded stations across Perth.

The Yanchep Rail Extension opened in July 2024, connecting Alkimos, Eglinton, and Yanchep. The Ellenbrook Line opened in December 2024, servicing tens of thousands of residents across five new stations. The extended Armadale Line to Byford reopened in October 2025, and the Thornlie-Cockburn Line created Perth’s first east-west passenger rail connection.

For first home buyers and owner-occupiers researching property in Perth, this infrastructure has changed what ‘well-connected’ means in practical terms.

The Shift from “Car-First” to Transit-Oriented Suburbs

Perth stretches more than 150 kilometres from Two Rocks to Mandurah. Historically, living in outer suburbs meant accepting long car commutes or paying premium prices closer to the CBD.

Trading the Commute for Connection

METRONET has added rail connectivity to areas that previously relied entirely on road access. Byford now sits 46 minutes from the CBD by train. Ellenbrook has direct rail access to the city. Yanchep, Alkimos, and Eglinton are connected via the northern extension.

In the same vein, the Forrestfield-Airport Link, which includes stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central, and High Wycombe, connects Perth’s eastern suburbs to the airport and CBD. The 17-kilometre Thornlie-Cockburn Line allows travel to Optus Stadium, Murdoch University, and Fremantle without routing through the CBD.

For households where one or both adults work in the CBD or near these transport nodes, the travel time calculation changes. A property 30 kilometres out with direct rail access may offer comparable or faster commute times than a property 15 kilometres away accessed by congested roads.

Working with a Residential Buyers Agency can help assess which corridors offer connectivity that aligns with your work and lifestyle needs.

The Rise of the 800-Metre Radius Lifestyle

Urban planning typically uses 800 metres, roughly a 20-minute walk, as the practical radius for transit-oriented development. Perth METRONET has created multiple new 800-metre zones around its stations.

Demand for Homes Within Walking Distance of Stations

The Western Australian Government designed station precincts to support higher-density residential and commercial development. The new Midland Station, for example,  includes a 12-stand bus interchange and an 800-bay car park. The elevated Victoria Park-Canning section created six hectares of new public open space while removing six level crossings.

Properties like these can eliminate the need for a second vehicle, which saves thousands annually in running costs, insurance, and depreciation. For CBD workers, avoiding parking fees also adds up to significant savings over time.

For families, proximity to a station can reduce the need to drive children to activities, particularly as they get older and can travel independently.

Understanding current Perth Property Trends helps assess which station precincts currently offer value relative to their connectivity benefits.

Strategic Buying in Growth-Focused METRONET Suburbs

The completion of key METRONET rail projects has shifted how buyers assess certain Perth suburbs, particularly in terms of connectivity and everyday accessibility. Rather than changing the fundamentals of the property market, these infrastructure upgrades influence how locations are compared, shortlisted, and prioritised when making a purchase decision.

Infrastructure-Led Suburb Selection

For buyers planning to hold property long-term, areas with new transport infrastructure may see additional commercial development, improved amenities, and enhanced community facilities over time. These changes typically take years to materialise.

The Western Australian Government has committed to the network’s ongoing development, including the delivery of 246 new C-series railcars to accommodate growing passenger numbers.

Long-Term Capital Growth Considerations

Infrastructure investment and property price appreciation have historically shown correlation in Australian cities, though past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

In Perth specifically, constrained housing supply in established areas, evident by increasing housing prices, combined with population growth creates conditions where newly-accessible suburbs may attract buyer attention. The extent and timing of any price appreciation depends on multiple factors including broader economic conditions, interest rates, and local market dynamics.

Looking at Perth property prices and METRONET connections requires examining specific suburbs and their individual circumstances rather than making blanket assumptions.

Improved Access for First Home Buyers in Outer Suburbs

Perth METRONET-connected outer suburbs offer access to rail infrastructure that previously didn’t exist. The Byford Rail Extension, Yanchep Rail Extension, and Morley-Ellenbrook Line have all brought rail connectivity to suburbs that relied entirely on road transport.

For first home buyers, outer suburbs with new rail connections offer a way to access the property market while maintaining connectivity to employment centres and the CBD.

The First Home Buyer resource provides guidance on the purchase process, while professional support can help identify opportunities in METRONET suburbs, Perth, that align with budget and lifestyle requirements.

Affordability Beyond Inner-City Locations

The price gap between inner and outer suburbs remains substantial. For first home buyers working with limited deposit or borrowing capacity, outer suburbs with new rail connections offer a way to enter the market without sacrificing connectivity to employment centres.

Many newer estates in outer METRONET suburbs, Perth,  include walking paths, parks, shopping precincts, and schools as part of their development, creating community infrastructure alongside residential properties.

Connectivity Reducing Distance Barriers

The Yanchep Rail Extension provides direct CBD access from coastal northern suburbs. The Thornlie-Cockburn Line connects eastern and southern suburbs without requiring travel via the CBD.

The removal of 31 level crossings across the network has improved journey reliability and reduced travel times on existing lines. The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project removed six crossings and created seven kilometres of Long Park with 14 community spaces.

First home buyers who previously ruled out outer suburbs due to commute times now have rail options that may be comparable to or faster than road access from some inner suburbs. The Perth Property Market continues to adjust as these connectivity changes become more widely understood.

Conclusion: Is Your Next Home on the METRONET Map?

The completion of Perth infrastructure projects like METRONET has changed Perth’s transport network and the practical accessibility of outer suburbs.

For first home buyers and owner-occupiers, METRONET-serviced suburbs offer rail connectivity, generally lower prices than inner-city locations, and in many cases, newer housing stock with larger land sizes.

Understanding which corridors offer the best value, which station precincts support your specific lifestyle and work requirements, and how to time your entry requires detailed market knowledge.

Whether you’re a first home buyer entering the market or an owner-occupier seeking your next property, the question is how to use this infrastructure to make an informed property decision that aligns with your circumstances.If you’re considering purchasing in Perth’s METRONET-connected suburbs and want to ensure you’re making a data-backed decision, book a free 15-minute discovery call with our team.