New data from realestate.com.au reveals that Australia’s property market has demonstrated remarkable strength through the first half of 2026.
Despite challenging market conditions, property values across the vast majority of Australian suburbs remain well above levels recorded a year ago.
Analysis of home price movements, buyer enquiry volume, and transaction speeds over the past 12 months highlights a resilient landscape driven by persistent buyer demand and tight available inventory.
Widespread growth across capital cities and regions
Price growth remained exceptionally widespread across both the house and unit sectors. House prices rose in 85% of Australian suburbs over the past 12 months, while unit prices increased in 90% of suburbs over the same period.
Even among the minority of suburbs where prices fell, approximately half recorded minor declines of less than 3%.
Megan Lieu, REA Group’s Senior Economic Analyst, said the resilience reflects the strength of the market earlier in the period.
“It was quite strong. And even though there have been some declines more recently, it does show that most suburbs are still higher than they were a year ago,” she said, adding that interest rates were also lower during that earlier stretch of growth.
At a national level, growth was led by affordable regional markets and outer-metropolitan pockets; for houses, Ravenswood in Tasmania experienced the strongest price appreciation, soaring 41% from June 2025 to reach a median value of $511,000.
Home Hill in Queensland followed closely with a 40% gain to $404,000, while Waverley in Tasmania surged 39% to $514,000.
In the unit market, growth was equally pronounced, led by Queensland and Western Australian hubs. Hillcrest (QLD, median $810,000), Beenleigh (QLD, median $670,000), and Orelia (WA, median $492,000) all recorded identical 12-month growth rates of 42%.
Ms Leiu said the pattern points to a broader shift in where buyers are finding value.
“It shows quite a clear trend if you’re looking at the top 10 for houses even, that most of them are in regional areas.
“And we actually have seen regional areas outperform capital cities since mid-2024,” she said, pointing to declining affordability and three interest rate hikes this year as factors pushing buyers toward more affordable areas.
“If they want that house with a big block of land, then it’s like they’re more willing to move, and purchase what they can afford.”
Intense buyer demand and ultra-fast sales
When evaluating key enquiries per listing, buyer competition reached peak levels across diverse suburban and regional markets.
For houses, Rocklea in Queensland led the nation with 145 enquiries per listing, closely followed by West Tamworth in New South Wales at 144 and Crows Nest in Sydney’s lower north shore at 142. For units, Sydney suburbs dominated competition, led by Concord West with 156 enquiries per listing, Fairfield Heights at 154, and Bonnyrigg at 130.
This immense buyer interest translated into rapid sales, with properties in high-demand pockets selling in near single-digit days.
Houses listed in Gray (NT) spent a median of just 9 days on market, while Wanguri (NT), Woodvale (WA), and Skye (VIC) all recorded median turnover times of 10 days. Units in Summerhill (TAS) led the attached dwelling segment at 10 median days on market, with Toorak Gardens (SA), Alexandra Hills (QLD), and Kenmore (QLD) trailing closely behind at 13 days.
Looking ahead, Ms Lieu said the broader market has lost some momentum, but suburbs with limited supply or persistent demand, like Darwin, should keep performing.
But, she flagged the federal budget’s tax changes as a factor to watch, saying that in areas investors previously favoured, “there might be stronger declines in those areas because they have a disincentive to invest with the new policies.”
The highlights
| Suburb | State | Type | Category | Result |
| Ravenswood | TAS | House | Top Price Growth | +41% ($511,000 median) |
| Home Hill | QLD | House | Top Price Growth | +40% ($404,000 median) |
| Waverley | TAS | House | Top Price Growth | +39% ($514,000 median) |
| Hillcrest | QLD | Unit | Top Price Growth | +42% ($810,000 median) |
| Beenleigh | QLD | Unit | Top Price Growth | +42% ($670,000 median) |
| Orelia | WA | Unit | Top Price Growth | +42% ($492,000 median) |
| Rocklea | QLD | House | Highest Buyer Demand | 145 enquiries / listing |
| West Tamworth | NSW | House | Highest Buyer Demand | 144 enquiries / listing |
| Crows Nest | NSW | House | Highest Buyer Demand | 142 enquiries / listing |
| Concord West | NSW | Unit | Highest Buyer Demand | 156 enquiries / listing |
| Fairfield Heights | NSW | Unit | Highest Buyer Demand | 154 enquiries / listing |
| Bonnyrigg | NSW | Unit | Highest Buyer Demand | 130 enquiries / listing |
| Gray | NT | House | Fastest Selling | 9 median days on market |
| Wanguri | NT | House | Fastest Selling | 10 median days on market |
| Woodvale | WA | House | Fastest Selling | 10 median days on market |
| Skye | VIC | House | Fastest Selling | 10 median days on market |
| Summerhill | TAS | Unit | Fastest Selling | 10 median days on market |
| Toorak Gardens | SA | Unit | Fastest Selling | 13 median days on market |
| Alexandra Hills | QLD | Unit | Fastest Selling | 13 median days on market |
| Kenmore | QLD | Unit | Fastest Selling | 13 median days on market |