Key takeaways
A well-established and steady recovery for the Australian housing market is anticipated.
House prices in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, and unit prices in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart, could have fully recovered from the 2022 downturn by the end of the next financial year according to research by Domain.
Regional Australia is set to see a return to more traditional price patterns, with a slower pace of growth anticipated than the combined capital cities.
It's halfway through 2023, and with concerns about rising interest rates and talk about a recession, one question many are asking is:
What's ahead for the Australian property market?
Interestingly, according to the Domain Forecast Report, Australia’s housing market will be in a well-established, steady recovery over the coming financial year, with select capital cities anticipated to recover from the 2022 downturn fully over the next year.
They forecast that house prices in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth will be at a new record high and unit prices in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart could also reach a new record high in the 2023-24 financial year.
Adelaide and Perth house prices are predicted to rise slowly and may avoid a downturn completely – instead seeing a period of modest or sideways growth (for which Adelaide is renowned).
Domain house and unit price forecast to the end of Financial Year 2024
| Location | Houses | Units |
| Sydney | 6-9% | 2-5% |
| Melbourne | 0-2% | -2-1% |
| Brisbane | 1-4% | 0-1% |
| Perth | 1-3% | 1-3% |
| Adelaide | 2-5% | 0-2% |
| Hobart | 3-5% | 1-3% |
| Canberra | 2-4% | -1-2% |
| Combined capitals | 2-4% | 1-3% |
| Combined regionals | 1-3% | 0-2% |
| Regional NSW | -1-1% | 1-3% |
| Regional VIC | 1-4% | 1-3% |
| Regional QLD | 3-4% | 0-1% |
| Gold Coast | 2-4% | 1-2% |
| Sunshine Coast | 1-2% | 1-3% |
| * Forecasts are the predicted percentage change in house and unit prices by the end of FY24. Note this forecast spans 13 months (from the beginning of June 2023 to the end of June 2024). | ||
Dr Nicola Powell, Domain’s Chief of Research and Economics commented:
"Population pressures will lead the charge in factors driving housing demand and property prices higher over the next 12 months.
Australia has seen an exponential increase in temporary and permanent migration since the international border reopened in late 2021 to alleviate skills shortages.
Of course, unlike natural population growth, those arriving from overseas aren’t already housed.
This puts us in a position where in the next financial year alone, nearly 130,000 extra dwellings will be needed, with the Eastern Seaboard receiving the largest share of migrants.
When you combine this with unprecedented headwinds in the construction industry and unseasonably weak listings, this has contributed to a forecast of continued tight housing supply that drives up market competition.
While prices are expected to rise, affordability will contain the pace of growth, as the likes of rapidly rising interest rates and ongoing mortgage serviceability challenges continue to play out in a complex and dynamic market.”
Deep dives into each capital city
Sydney
Domain believes the Sydney property recovery will be slow but steady after the steep downturn in 2022.
They forecast that Sydney house prices will be at a new record high by the end of the next financial year.
When it comes to unit prices, there will be a similarly slow but steady recovery over the next financial year, however, prices will sit below the record high achieved in December 2021.
Melbourne
Domain forecast that Melbourne house prices will remain relatively stable over the next financial year.
This means house prices will remain lower than the record average house price high of $1.094 million achieved in December 2021.
Unit prices will be more volatile over the next financial year if the forecast decline of 2% to positive growth of 1% eventuates.
Interestingly this forecast is in stark contrast to the view by Tim Lawless from Corelgic who believes that despite the slower growth over the last few years, Melbourne's lower rate of increase in house values could present an affordability advantage for home buyers, making it a more attractive option than other locations.
Lawless said:
Melbourne's improved value proposition, driven by lower supply levels, a low rental vacancy rate, and relative affordability, could make it more competitive in attracting participants in the housing market.
Brisbane
Domain believes Brisbane house prices will be close to a new record high by the end of FY24.
Looking at units, their forecast is that they will be more stable than houses over the coming financial year if the forecast growth of 0% to 1% eventuates.
- Also read:Brisbane housing market update | July 2024
- Also read:Perth housing market update | July 2024
- Also read:Australian housing market update [CoreLogic’s video] | July 2024
- Also read:Unemployment Uptick: What It Means for Interest Rates and the Housing Markets | Property Insiders
- Also read:Vacancy Rates Increased to 1.3% | SQM Research
This growth range and the growth seen in the early half of 2023 means unit prices will be at a new record high at the end of FY 2024.
Adelaide
Domain forecasts Adelaide house prices will be at a new record high by the end of FY 2024 which means that the city could have avoided a price downturn throughout 2022-23.
Unit prices will grow slower than houses over the next financial year if the forecast growth of between 0% to 2% eventuates, and putting them at a new record high at the end of FY 2024.
Perth
Domain's forecast is for Perth house prices will be at a new record high at the end of the next financial year showcasing the city’s continued strength and stability.
Based on forecasts, Perth could avoid any material downturn in house prices.
Looking at units, prices will continue to grow steadily over the next financial year.
Canberra
Domain forecasts Canberra house prices will move into recovery over the next financial year.
Canberra will retain its million-dollar title, with the median not predicted to slip below seven digits.
It is almost certain the June 2023 quarter will see prices initially fall, to reach a trough.
This is the largest decline across any capital city.
Unit prices will be more volatile than houses over the next financial year.
Hobart
Domain forecasts Hobart house prices will recover well over the next financial year.
The recovery is forecasted to be slow and steady, taking more than five quarters of growth to recoup the value lost.
Unit prices will be at a new record high by the end of FY 2024.
Even at the lower range of 1% growth, Hobart unit prices will be close to a new record high.
According to Domain's data, when it comes to regional areas, house and unit prices will increase modestly over the coming financial year, with house prices expected to outperform units.
This modest growth can be attributed to a revert to historical movements that show less growth in regional areas than in cities.
Final note...
In her forecasts Dr Powell explains that in the past, migration policy has pushed migrants towards regional areas with migrants willing to live in regional areas as they are awarded extra points and have an increased chance of getting a permanent visa.
With the anticipated overhaul of the migration system, there is speculation that the streamlined channels of overseas migration to regional locations may be overturned – helping to dissipate demand flows.
That being said, with housing affordability remaining a significant barrier in our largest capital cities, demand will likely remain from younger home buyers who seek affordable regional markets, particularly those within close proximity to a major city or employment hub.
