Australia’s property market has reached a new milestone, with the total value of residential real estate climbing to $11.8 trillion for the first time - an increase of $678 billion over the past 12 months - according to Cotality’s October Monthly Housing Chart Pack. The rise comes as momentum continues to build, particularly in unit and apartment values, which have shown sustained strength in several key markets.
The milestone comes as momentum in national housing values continues to build, with dwelling values up 2.2% over the three months to September. This is the largest quarterly increase since the three months to May 2024 (2.2%).
The annual growth trend also shifted higher for the fourth consecutive month, up from a low of 3.7% over the 2024-25 financial year, to 4.8% in the 12 months to September.
“This $11.8 trillion milestone is a clear testament to the resilience of Australia's property market, where national dwelling values are now up 4.8% over the past year," said Cotality’s head of research for Australia, Eliza Owen.
"We're seeing a clear building of momentum, with a 2.2% rise over the September quarter alone, the largest quarterly increase since May 2024.
“At the moment, there’s some uncertainty around the timing of another cash rate reduction, and inflation impacting market momentum through to the end of the year. However, if the property market were to continue at its current rate of growth, it’s possible the combined market value could hit $12 trillion by the end of the year.”
Which market values have changed the most (or least) amid rate cuts so far?
Drilling down into the performance of individual suburbs reveals where the market has thrived most decisively since the first interest rate cut in February.
This period, between the end of February and September 2025, highlights the markets responding strongest to lower borrowing costs and tight supply.
Cotality’s analysis of suburb-level dwelling values since February shows a clear trend: Darwin markets are setting the pace for capital growth.
Suburbs like Wanguri and Durack (NT) both led the nation with outstanding growth of 20.1% in that time. This surge in Darwin suburbs reflects a powerful combination of relative affordability, extremely low levels of housing supply, and a notable lift in investment activity.
Conversely, Sydney and Melbourne accounted for the majority of areas experiencing a dip in value since the rate cuts began. The largest declines were concentrated in inner-city, lifestyle suburbs, primarily those with high-density unit stock. Milsons Point in Sydney saw the greatest fall at −7.1%, with Kirribilli close behind at −6.3%.
Owen said this reflected market dynamics more broadly.
“Even though we’ve gone hyper-local with the suburb analysis, the data highlights a broader trend of Darwin leading Australia’s capital growth trend," she said.
"City home values are up 13.4% through the year to date. It’s a relatively affordable market, and investors may be taking note of high yields and rapid value increases.
"Some of the top performing regional markets were also the most affordable, such as Boggabri in regional NSW and Rochester in regional Victoria, each dwelling market with a median below $400,000.
“With other capital city and major regional markets soaring in value over the past few years, it seems like buyers are targeting what is left of the affordable land and housing across the country as interest rates fall and rents re-accelerate.”
Other highlights from the October Housing Chart Pack include:
Total stock levels have moved subtly higher in the past four weeks, with just 122,173 properties observed for sale nationally over the four weeks to October 5. Since the start of spring, total listing levels have risen 2.7%. However, stock levels generally remain tight, sitting -19.3% below the historic five-year average for this time of year.
