Scheduled auctions surge as markets move out of holiday slowdown
Australia’s capital city auction markets are set for a sharp lift in activity this week, signalling a clear move away from the seasonal lull that has characterised the early weeks of the year.
A total of 1,630 homes are scheduled for auction across the capitals, compared with just 483 auctions held over the previous four weeks combined. Over the equivalent week in 2025, 1,390 auctions took place.
Melbourne is expected to lead the national market. The Victorian capital has 614 homes booked for auction this week, up from 483 in the same week last year. So far this year, only 187 homes have gone under the hammer in Melbourne, with 123 of those auctions held last week, indicating that activity is now rapidly rebuilding.
Sydney is also poised for a pronounced increase. The city has 494 homes set for auction, a sharp rise from just 68 auctions across the past four weeks. In the comparable week a year ago, 453 homes were auctioned in Sydney, pointing to a higher starting point for this year’s selling season.
Among the smaller capitals, Brisbane is showing the most pronounced year-on-year growth in scheduled auctions. The Queensland capital has 223 auctions listed for this week, a 37.7% increase on the 162 held in the same week last year. Adelaide is due to host 153 auctions, slightly above the 150 held a year ago, while Canberra’s 137 scheduled auctions represent a 4.6% rise on last year’s 131.
Perth, by contrast, is set for a modest decline in activity, with eight auctions slated for this week compared with 11 over the same week last year. Across Tasmania, only one property is scheduled to go under the hammer.
“We expect to see a significant rise in auction activity this week,” said Caitlin Fono, research analyst at Cotality. “An early view of auction numbers over the coming weeks suggests we could see a slight dip in numbers next week before ramping up the following week.”
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