MARKET INSIGHTS
Australian Market
Prices, borrowing conditions and the housing pipeline, with sources you can check.
Research checked 3 October 2026. Each statistic has its own reference period. Figures are not live and may be revised.
A national view of Australia’s housing market
Understand prices, borrowing conditions and the supply pipeline before narrowing your research to a city or suburb.
Latest value signal: Cotality’s national dwelling index fell 1.1% in September 2026, with 0.0% annual change. Published 1 October 2026. Source: Cotality September Home Value Index.
Borrowing backdrop: The RBA raised its cash rate target to 4.60% on 29 September 2026. This is a policy rate; your lender’s mortgage rate will differ. Source: RBA decision.
Demand indicator: New dwelling loan commitments numbered 134,225 in the June quarter 2026, down 5.4% from the previous quarter, seasonally adjusted. Refinancing is excluded. Released 14 August 2026. Source: ABS Lending Indicators.
How to use the national picture
A national index is a starting point for research. Choose your city, then compare properties with similar dwelling type, land size, condition and location. A city average cannot tell you what a particular home should sell for.
For buyers, build a total purchase budget that includes transaction costs and a reserve for repairs. Obtain a current borrowing assessment before bidding. For sellers, ask agents to explain their price recommendations with recent comparable completed sales. For investors, assess income after operating costs and allow for vacancy and unexpected maintenance.
Supply deserves a separate check
Australia approved 16,953 dwellings in August 2026, a 6.1% monthly decline in seasonally adjusted terms. Released 30 September 2026. Approvals show permissions to build; they do not show finished homes available today. Source: ABS Building Approvals.
Sources and dates
Every numerical claim above links directly to its publisher. Cotality’s September 2026 value update was published 1 October 2026. Domain medians cover the June quarter 2026. ABS approvals cover August 2026 and were released 30 September 2026. Where cited, ABS lending covers the June quarter 2026, released 14 August 2026; the RBA decision is dated 29 September 2026.
A hedonic value index and a stratified sale-price median measure different things. State approvals are not city supply or completed homes. Review the Cotality index methodology for definitions and revision practices.
General market information does not assess an individual property or your personal circumstances. Practical research suggestions are AREM guidance, rather than forecasts from the cited publishers.