Australia’s spring auction season closed with a burst of activity and a steady finish, as buyers and sellers pushed to complete deals before the December slowdown. Despite one of the heaviest weekends of the year, clearance rates held their ground, pointing to a market that has shown resilience through the final stretch of 2025.
SQM Research recorded a national clearance rate of 66.5 per cent, almost unchanged from last week’s 66.6 per cent and well above the 58.2 per cent recorded during the same period last year. The stability came despite a flood of auctions across the capitals, with Sydney and Melbourne each hosting more than 1,500 listings, among their largest totals this year.
Across the combined capitals, the tone remained steady. Buyers continued to compete even with rising stock levels, and vendors responded with realistic price expectations. The result was a balanced close to the season, reinforced by strong sale volumes and consistent demand through established and prestige markets.
Sydney posted a clearance rate of 69.4 per cent, slightly above last week’s figure, even as listings jumped to 1,517. Its median house price eased to 1.8 million dollars, down from 1.95 million dollars last week and lower than the same time last year. Canterbury Bankstown led the city’s regional results with a clearance rate of 77.8 per cent at a median of 1,626,250 dollars, followed by the Lower North, Inner West, and the Northern Beaches. The most affordable sale was a Potts Point unit that sold for 400,000 dollars, contrasting with premium activity in Pymble and Manly.
Melbourne delivered a slightly stronger result, rising to a clearance rate of 69.7 per cent as auction numbers climbed to 1,597. Its median house price lifted to 1,106,750 dollars, marking a near 10 per cent increase year on year. The South East continued to outperform the rest of the city, reaching an 89.8 per cent clearance rate and a median of 906,000 dollars. By contrast, the Inner City recorded the lowest rate at 60 per cent. High-value homes in Kooyong and Black Rock pushed the upper end of sales, while Footscray provided the week’s most affordable result at 244,000 dollars.
Brisbane showed improvement, rising to a clearance rate of 54.5 per cent, up from 49.8 per cent. Prestige sales again led the movement, with three million-dollar results in East Brisbane, Herston, and Auchenflower.
Adelaide remained one of the strongest markets in the country. Its clearance rate of 72.7 per cent was only slightly lower than last week and reinforced the city’s steady run through spring. Stirling, Frewville, and Marden topped the sale results.
Canberra held a clearance rate of 66.2 per cent, almost unchanged from the previous week. Inner suburbs such as Deakin and Narrabundah led the city’s top sales.
The national picture offers a clear reading heading into December. Clearance rates held steady despite a surge in supply. Sydney and Melbourne carried much of the national activity. Adelaide continued to be one of the most competitive markets. Brisbane and Canberra made small gains. And the national clearance rate remained well above last year’s level.
Spring’s close points to a market that is adjusting to higher stock without losing buyer depth. With the quieter period ahead, attention will now shift to how demand carries into early 2026.
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