NSW Property Spotlight
Rosebery property and home loan guide
Rosebery is an inner southern suburb about 6 km south of the Sydney CBD. It has two sides. North of Gardeners Road is a garden suburb of bungalows. Around it are apartment blocks and the commercial strip of Botany Road. In the 2021 Census 71.0% of homes were flats or apartments and half of homes (50.7%) were rented. The population grew from 10,117 in 2016 to 13,533 in 2021. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with Rosebery buyers by phone and video.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 23.1% separate houses, 4.8% terraces and townhouses | 71.0% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 (Rosebery (NSW)) |
In the 2021 Census, 46.8% of Rosebery homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 50.7% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $580 (ABS). Rents by bedroom aren't shown for this area. Sale prices will be added once licensed figures are available.
Figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Living in Rosebery
Rosebery is named after the 5th Earl of Rosebery, British Prime Minister in 1894 and 1895. The area north of Gardeners Road was developed by Richard Stanton and the company behind Haberfield, which is why it's known as a garden suburb of California and Federation bungalows.
Rosebery Racecourse opened as a pony track in 1906 and became an army camp in World War II. In 1961 the Rosebery Town Planning Company bought much of the land for industry and the housing commission bought the rest for public housing. Today the suburb mixes bungalows, apartments and commercial strips on Botany Road.
Transport
- Rosebery has no train station of its own. Buses run along Botany Road, Gardeners Road and through the suburb.
- In the 2021 Census 3.0% of working residents took the bus to work and 1.3% took the train.
- The airport and the CBD are both a short drive away.
- Plan trips on the Transport for NSW trip planner.
Schools
Gardeners Road Public School sits at the corner of Gardeners Road and Botany Road. St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is on Rosebery Avenue. High schools are in nearby suburbs.
NSW government schools enrol by local intake area, so check any address in the NSW School Finder before you buy.
Shopping and dining
A small shopping centre and strip sit on Gardeners Road. Commercial and industrial buildings line Botany Road and the streets around it.
Parks and recreation
- Turruwul Park, bounded by Harcourt Parade and Hayes Road, is home to the Redfern Raiders Soccer Club and has night lighting for evening sport.
- Crete Reserve is at the southern end of Rosebery Avenue.
- Smaller parks include Lever Street and Kimberley Grove.
Lifestyle
Rosebery suits people who want to live close to the city and the airport. The median age was 33 in 2021 and 63.9% of households were families. Quiet bungalow streets sit a few blocks from apartment living.
Rosebery
Did you know?
Named after a Prime Minister
Rosebery is named after Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, who was British Prime Minister in 1894 and 1895. He visited Australia in 1883 and 1884.
A racecourse and an army camp
Rosebery Racecourse opened as a pony track in 1906 and was popular in the 1920s. In World War II it became an army camp.
Trams to Rosebery
The Rosebery tram line opened in 1902 and was extended to Epsom Road in 1924. It closed in 1957.
A garden suburb
The streets north of Gardeners Road were developed by Richard Stanton and the company behind Haberfield. Rosebery held garden competitions before the 1990s.
Property types
Rosebery's housing is mostly apartments.
- Units make up 71.0% of homes.
- Houses are 23.1%, mostly bungalows north of Gardeners Road.
- Townhouses and semis are 4.8%.
- Size: 19.2% of homes have one bedroom and 10.3% have four or more.
Check zoning and heritage in the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer. Flood and overland flow studies are listed on the NSW Flood Data Portal.
What lenders look at in Rosebery
Rosebery is mostly apartments with a garden suburb in the middle. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Off-the-plan apartments
When you buy off the plan, the lender values the unit close to settlement, not when you sign. If the valuation comes in under the price, you need a bigger deposit. Talk to us before you sign a contract.
Unit size
One LMI provider's public guidelines need units to have at least 30 m2 of living area, excluding balconies and car space. Check smaller one-bedroom units against the strata plan.
Large new blocks
Big apartment blocks can have many similar units for sale at once. Valuers compare recent sales in the same building, so expect them to look at those closely.
Strata and defects
Lenders and valuers notice building defects and special levies. Read the strata report and ask about any defect claims before you commit.
Postcode 2018
Rosebery shares postcode 2018 with Eastlakes. It isn't on one LMI provider's lists of excluded or single-industry postcodes.
Lender and LMI policies differ between lenders and change often. This is a general guide based on public lender and LMI information checked 3 November 2026. We can check current policy for the property you're looking at before you apply.
Buying in Rosebery
In Rosebery the building matters as much as the suburb. Newer apartment blocks bring strata checks and, if you're buying off the plan, a valuation at settlement. Bungalows bring land and a larger loan. Knowing which you're buying helps you plan the deposit.
First home buyers
Apartments make up most of Rosebery's housing, so many first home buyers here buy a unit. NSW first home buyer support depends on the price and the property type, so check the current rules early.
Getting pre-approval before you look tells you your range. See our first home buyer page for schemes and grants and our guide for guarantors if family may help.
Upgraders
Some Rosebery buyers move from a one-bedroom unit to a larger apartment or a bungalow. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. For an older bungalow, budget for a building and pest inspection.
Deposit and costs
On top of your deposit, allow for:
- stamp duty (transfer duty) under New South Wales rules, with concessions for some first home buyers (see Revenue NSW)
- conveyancing and legal fees
- building and pest inspections
- strata or body corporate searches for units and townhouses
- lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you borrow more than 80% of the property's value
Our calculators give you a starting figure. Stamp duty rules differ between states, so check the New South Wales rules for your purchase.
Investing in Rosebery
Half of Rosebery homes (50.7%) were rented in the 2021 Census and the median weekly rent was $580. Most rentals are apartments. If you're buying to rent, lenders look at the rent as part of your income. See our investing in property page for how investment loans work.
Lender considerations
Rosebery purchases often involve newer apartments, off-the-plan contracts and strata. Lenders look at your income, the building and how the unit compares with others in the same block. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and can talk you through how lenders view Rosebery by phone or video.
Thinking about buying in Rosebery?
Talk it through with a Brisbane broker before you sign a contract. We can check the property you're looking at against lender policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosebery mostly apartments?
Yes. In the 2021 Census 71.0% of homes were flats or apartments and 23.1% were houses.
Is there a train station in Rosebery?
No. Buses run along Botany Road and Gardeners Road. Check the Transport for NSW trip planner for the nearest stations.
Can I buy an off-the-plan apartment in Rosebery?
Many buyers do. The lender values the unit near settlement, so plan for a valuation that may differ from the contract price.
Can a Brisbane mortgage broker help me buy in Rosebery?
Yes. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with clients across Australia by phone and video. Lender policy is national, but stamp duty and first home buyer grants follow NSW rules. We don't have an office in Rosebery.
Can I buy in Rosebery with a small deposit?
Possibly, depending on your income, the price and the lender. Some buyers use a family guarantee. Lenders mortgage insurance usually applies if you borrow more than 80% of the value.
What costs should I budget for besides the deposit?
NSW transfer duty, conveyancing, a strata report and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.
General information only. This page provides general information and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and seek advice before making a decision. Market figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Time Home Loans Pty Ltd ACN 161 695 012, Credit Representative 529395 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384324.