Australian property listings rise sharply, signaling market shift

Australian housing market conditions are shifting as property listings rise significantly, potentially signaling a transition toward a "buyer's market." Data from SQM Research indicates that national listing levels are nearly 23% higher than they were a year ago, an unusual increase given that July typically sees a seasonal lull in listings.

The rise in stock is driven by both new and older listings, with properties also taking longer to sell. This trend is a common characteristic of housing market downturns. Significant year-on-year increases in listings have been observed in Melbourne (up 42.8%), Adelaide (up 30.1%), and Brisbane (up 29.5%). In Melbourne, total property listings have reached their highest level since SQM Research began tracking data in 2010.

Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis noted that while new listings are moving lower, they are falling more slowly than sales, causing stock to rise relative to the flow of sales. Conversely, listing volumes in Perth remain below levels seen during much of 2025.