There are more interesting articles, commentaries and analyst reports on the Web every week than anyone could read in a month.
Each Saturday morning I like to share some of the ones I’ve read during the week.
The weekend will be over before you know it, so enjoy some interesting reading.
The regions with the largest annual home price growth
National home prices have risen for the sixth consecutive month following a decline in the latter half of 2022.
However, in some regions, prices have not wavered in the past year, growing by as much as a tenth in value.
According to PropTrack's June Home Price Index, prices rose by 0.31%.
This brings the cumulative increase to 2.3% year-to-date.
Although national prices are still slightly below peak and June 2022 levels, they are recovering despite the sharp rise in interest rates, and a few factors seem to be supporting their upturn.
Regions with the largest year-on-year growth in house prices
| SA4 region | State | Annual growth in house prices |
| Bunbury | WA | 10.0% |
| Barossa - Yorke - Mid North | SA | 10.0% |
| South Australia - South East | SA | 8.8% |
| South Australia - Outback | SA | 8.8% |
| Mandurah | WA | 8.5% |
| Perth - South West | WA | 8.2% |
| Toowoomba | QLD | 7.9% |
| Adelaide - North | SA | 7.9% |
| Darling Downs - Maranoa | QLD | 7.3% |
| Perth - North East | WA | 7.1% |
Regions with the largest year-on-year growth in unit prices
| SA4 region | State | Annual growth in unit prices |
| Adelaide - North | SA | 10.5% |
| Cairns | QLD | 10.4% |
| Toowoomba | QLD | 9.6% |
| Adelaide - South | SA | 9.5% |
| Logan - Beaudesert | QLD | 9.4% |
| Adelaide - West | SA | 9.3% |
| Gold Coast | QLD | 7.3% |
| Ipswich | QLD | 6.7% |
| Bunbury | WA | 6.0% |
| Brisbane - East | QLD | 5.9% |
Is it cheaper to buy a house at auction or make an offer before?
This article from Sydney Morning Herald gives helpful insights and information.
Analysis of auction sales compared with early offers for the first six months of this year shows a differential generally of at least 10 per cent.
The gap between the figure offered prior and the auction result is fairly consistent around the country.
Over the past six months, buyers in Victoria had the biggest differential, in February at 12.98 per cent.
NSW hit its peak of 10.91 per cent in April – also the best month in Queensland, with a 10.05 per cent divergence, and the best time nationally at 11.06 per cent.
High-paying Aussie jobs that don't require a degree
This article from Yahoo Finance provides some helpful information and insights:
With the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on Aussie households, many may be looking for a bigger paycheque.
But many of the highest-paying Aussie jobs require many years at university, which also means a big fat HECS/HELP debt.
- Also read:Melbourne property market forecast for 2025 | Is it a good time to invest in Melbourne?
- Also read:Sydney property market forecast for 2025. Is it a good time to invest in Sydney?
- Also read:Brisbane Property Market Forecast [2025] – What’s Ahead & Where to Invest
- Also read:Latest property price forecasts for 2025 revealed. What’s ahead in our housing markets in the next year or two?
- Also read:This week’s Australian Property Market Update – Latest Data, State by State June 17th 2025
Air traffic controllers were some of the highest-paid Aussies, earning an average $149,580 per year. Train controllers earned an average salary of $138,633.
Insurance investigators, loss adjusters or risk surveyors earned, on average, $136,914 per year.
Driller, miner or shot firer in the coal-mining industry brought in an average salary of $128,486 every year, while those who do blasting work in mines brought in $121,314 per year.
Read the full article here.
Wealthiest people in Australia
This article from CEO World Magazine provides some helpful information:
As of July 07, 2023, Gina Rinehart was the wealthiest person in Australia, with an estimated net worth of 27.2 billion U.S. dollars, followed by Andrew Forrest (No. 2, $19.9 billion), Harry Triguboff (No. 3, $15.5 billion); and Mike Cannon-Brookes (No. 4, $11.4 billion).
Scott Farquhar is the fifth-richest person in Australia, with a whopping $10.7 billion.
Anthony Pratt ranked 6th with a personal wealth of $10.6 billion, followed by Richard White with $6.5 billion.
Frank Lowy is placed 8th with a net worth of $6.0 billion.
Kerry Stokes ($4.1 billion) occupied the 9th position among Australia’s top 10 wealthiest people.
Read the full article here.
How do I stop my mind racing and get some sleep?
This article from The Conversation provides some helpful information:
In bed, with no other visual or sound cues to occupy the mind, many people start to have racing thoughts that keep them awake.
This can happen at the start of the night, or when they awake in the night.
- Re-learn to associate bed with sleep
- Distract yourself with fond thoughts
- Relax into sleep
- Worry earlier in the day
- Know waking in the night is normal
Read the full article here.
