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Ahmad Imam Square Wide Lo Rez 400.jpglouis Christopher
By Louis Christopher
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Latest Property Asking Prices State by State | National Property Listings Surge in August

key takeaways

Key takeaways

National listings rose 5.2% month-on-month, signalling renewed seller confidence, but remain 4.2% lower year-on-year.

Sydney and Melbourne led monthly growth, with listings up 9.8% and 11.5% respectively, though Melbourne trails year-on-year.

New listings surged nationally by 14.4%, with Sydney and Melbourne posting over 26% monthly gains.

National asking prices rose across all property types, with houses leading the charge, according to SQM Research’s Weekly Asking Prices Index for

The national average asking price for houses climbed to $1,296,482—up 2.25% from the previous week and 6.9% year-on-year.

Units followed suit, rising 1.53% weekly and 6.8% annually.

Sydney recorded the sharpest weekly increase in house asking prices, jumping 9.17% to $2,081,082.

This spike, paired with stable listing volumes, suggests renewed vendor confidence and potential upward pressure on buyer budgets heading into spring. Unit prices in Sydney also rose 2.05% weekly, reaching $867,029.

Melbourne’s house prices rose modestly (+0.77% weekly), but annual growth remains strong at 8.0%, indicating steady recovery despite softer listing volumes.

Perth and Hobart continue to show resilience, with annual house price growth of 8.2% and 6.2% respectively.

Brisbane and Canberra saw weekly declines in asking prices, down 2.37% and 2.13% for houses, despite moderate listing increases.

This divergence may reflect buyer resistance to recent price levels or a shift in demand dynamics.

Darwin posted the steepest weekly decline in house prices (-2.63%), reinforcing its position as the most volatile capital city market.

However, unit prices in Darwin rose slightly over the rolling month, suggesting some stabilisation in the lower end of the market.

Surge

Australia’s property landscape in August 2025 reflected a dynamic interplay between seasonal listing momentum and longer-term structural shifts.

Total national listings rose to 239,044—up 5.2% from July—driven by a surge in new stock across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

However, the annual decline of 4.2% suggests lingering caution among sellers and buyers alike.

Sydney’s total listings remained flat year-on-year, underscoring its consistent market depth.

Melbourne, while posting the strongest monthly growth (+11.5%), saw a 4.8% annual decline, hinting at a recalibration in vendor expectations.

Brisbane’s 11.6% annual drop in listings signals a tightening market, possibly influenced by affordability constraints and migration shifts.

Darwin’s listings held steady at 1,001 in August but remain down 36.9% year-on-year— highlighting a sharp contraction in available stock. Despite low supply, distressed listings remain elevated, pointing to underlying financial strain.

Hobart saw a 3.0% monthly dip in listings to 2,721, with new stock falling 13.6%.

Annual supply is down 5.5%, yet asking prices continue to rise, suggesting resilient buyer demand amid cautious vendor activity.

Adelaide posted a 4.6% monthly rise in listings to 8,363, up 2.1% year-on-year.

New listings increased steadily, while older stock remained contained—indicating balanced market conditions and pricing alignment.

Total Listings of Properties for Sale

City Aug 2025 Total July 2025 Total Aug 2024 Total Monthly change Yearly Change %
Sydney 33,798 30,776 33,790 9.8% 0.0%
Melbourne 39,721 35,618 41,729 11.5% -4.8%
Brisbane 16,106 15,659 18,224 2.9% -11.6%
Perth 14,824 13,834 13,078 3.3% 9.2%
Adelaide 8,363 7,993 8,190 4.6% 2.1%
Canberra 4,362 4,097 4,241 6.5% 2.9%
Darwin 1,001 997 1,587 0.4% -36.9%
Hobart 2,721 2,804 2,878 -3.0% -5.5%
National 239,044 227,135 249,523 5.2% -4.2%

Source: SQM Research

New Listings

New listings under 30 days surged nationally by 14.4%, with Sydney and Melbourne leading the charge—up 26.4% and 27.5% respectively.

This influx of fresh stock may reflect pent-up supply following winter lulls, as well as strategic vendor timing ahead of spring campaigns.

Canberra’s 24.6% monthly rise in new listings, paired with a 7.6% annual increase, suggests

growing market confidence in the capital.

New Listings of properties for sale (less than 30 days)

City Aug 2025 Total July 2025 Total Aug 2024 Total Monthly change Yearly Change %
Sydney 16,214 12,831 16,306 26.4% -0.6%
Melbourne 17,937 14,066 18,178 27.5% -1.3%
Brisbane 6,867 6,790 8,146 1.1% -15.7%
Perth 5,950 5,524 5,621 7.7% 5.9%
Adelaide 3,865 3,659 4,067 5.6% -5.0%
Canberra 1,916 1,538 1,780 24.6% 7.6%
Darwin 296 332 225 -10.8% 31.6%
Hobart 483 559 499 -13.6% -3.2%
National 71,815 62,798 73,665 14.4% -2.5%

Source: SQM Research

Old Listings

The rise in older listings (180+ days) across most cities points to pockets of stagnation.

Nationally, aged stock grew 5.0% month-on-month and 6.7% year-on-year.

Canberra’s 64.3% annual increase in old listings is particularly notable, potentially indicating mismatched pricing or buyer hesitancy in higher-value segments.

City Aug-25 Jul-25 Aug-24 Monthly change Yearly Change %
Sydney 6,132 5,926 5,022 3.5% 22.1%
Melbourne 8,744 8,347 7,6924 4.8% 13.7%
Brisbane 1,791 1,680 1,818 6.6% -1.5%
Perth 1,602 1,558 1,459 2.8% 9.8%
Adelaide 1,176 1,157 1,115 1.6% 5.5%
Canberra 953 821 580 16.1% 64.3%
Darwin 329 322 694 2.2% -52.6%
Hobart 1,221 1,137 1,068 7.4% 14.3%
National 76,931 73,261 72,084 5.0% 6.7%

Source: SQM Research

Distressed Listings

Distressed listings continued their downward trajectory, falling 4.5% nationally from July and 20.0% year-on-year.

Queensland and Western Australia saw the steepest annual declines— down 25.5% and 37.3% respectively—suggesting improved financial resilience among homeowners.

The ACT was the outlier, with distressed listings rising 23.3% month-on-month and 27.6% year-on-year, warranting closer scrutiny of local economic pressures.

Distressed Property Listings

Distressed Listings August 2025

Source: SQM Research

Asking Prices

Sydney Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 2,061,082 9.917 1.4% 7.5%
All Units 867,029 9.271 -0.6% 6.0%
Combined 1,574,659 9.654 0.9% 6.9%

Source: SQM Research

Melbourne Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,295,563 1.369 0.1% 4.6%
All Units 638,243 1.757 1.0% 4.6%
Combined 1,087,776 1.491 0.3% 4.5%

Source: SQM Research

Perth Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,172,705 6.984 1.2% 10.3%
All Units 662,165 -0.737 1.1% 19.1%
Combined 1,038,903 4.960 1.2% 11.6%

Source: SQM Research

Brisbane Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,279,750 3.303 1.4% 10.4%
All Units 751,179 -0.479 1.1% 16.7%
Combined 1,146,770 2.352 1.4% 11.3%

Source: SQM Research.

Adelaide Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,058,321 4.352 0.7% 11.9%
All Units 568,192 -0.992 0.4% 21.5%
Combined 966,342 4.189 0.7% 13.5%

Source: SQM Research

Canberra Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,229,927 -6.565 0.3% 4.6%
All Units 588,940 -0.203 -0.5% -0.3%
Combined 990,162 -4.185 0.1% 2.9%

Source: SQM Research

Darwin Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 788,039 -2.039 -1.2% 20.6%
All Units 437,318 -6.318 1.2% 14.5%
Combined 650,178 -3.721 -0.6% 18.9%

Source: SQM Research

Hobart Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 851,013 5.168 1.7% 7.6%
All Units 495,424 -1.124 0.3% 0.6%
Combined 796,809 4.209 1.6% 6.9%

Source: SQM Research

National Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,020,854 7.671 1.1% 9.2%
All Units 599,086 1.698 1.0% 7.7%
Combined 929,536 6.378 1.1% 8.8%

Source: SQM Research

Capital City Average Weekly Asking Prices Index

Property type Price ($) Weekly Change Monthly Change % Annual % change
All Houses 1,498,173 3.037 1.3% 7.8%
All Units 752,018 11.074 0.3% 8.9%
Combined 1,275,703 5.433 1.1% 7.8%

Source: SQM Research

Final note...

The August surge in listings is a seasonal lift we anticipated, but the underlying trends tell a more nuanced story.

While total national listings rose 5.2% month-on-month, we’re still down 4.2% compared to August last year.

That’s not insignificant—it suggests sellers remain cautious, and buyers are still price-sensitive."

The rise in new listings—up 14.4% nationally—is encouraging.

It means fresh stock is entering the market, which is vital for liquidity. However, the increase in older listings, particularly in Canberra where stock over 180 days jumped 64%, suggests some properties are missing the mark on pricing or presentation.

That’s a red flag for agents and vendors alike."

Overall, the market is showing signs of life, but it’s uneven.

We’re not in boom territory, and vendors need to be realistic.

Buyers are still discerning, and overpriced stock is sitting.

The spring season will be a litmus test for sentiment and price elasticity

Ahmad Imam Square Wide Lo Rez 400.jpglouis Christopher
About Louis Christopher Louis is recognised as one of Australia’s most respected and impartial research property analyst. He has extensive knowledge and experience of property and is regularly quoted in the media on his insights and is director of SQM Research.
Visit www.SQMResearch.com.au
4 comments

Just sold a property in Gold Coast. The Real Estate website had a "high confidence" medium price of $689k, with an upside of $730k. Sold at $740. So I believe that these websites are underestimating prices. Why? No idea.

1 reply

So Perth has officially caught up with Adelaide?

1 reply
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