Volume numbers rise but are still down

THE number of houses up for auction nationally has increased over the last fortnight but are still well down on 2025 levels.

Property data firm Cotality reported auction volumes rose by four per cent last week following a 4.8 per cent lift two weeks ago, with 1421 homes listed.

“That said, these increases came off a relatively low base, and auction volumes have remained consistently below levels recorded a year ago, with volumes last week 16.9 per cent lower than the same period in 2025,” Cotality said.

The preliminary clearance rate remained in the low 50 per cent range over the past three weeks, edging up to 52.4 per cent last week.

This was an increase of 2.4 percentage points from the previous week’s 50 per cent and five points above the recent low of 47.4 per cent for the week ending June 21, Cotality added.

“An improvement in the withdrawal rate helps explain the lift in clearance rates,” Cotality said.

“Withdrawn auctions had risen to 24 per cent of all scheduled auctions over the week ending June 21 but reduced back to 17.4 per cent last week.

“The withdrawal rate remained elevated relative to 2025, when on average 11.8 per cent of auctions were being withdrawn.”

Melbourne held 707 auctions last week, up 18 per cent from the previous week but 10.1 per cent lower than the same week last year.

The preliminary clearance rate declined by 1.9 percentage points to 54.6 per cent.

After reaching a low of 50.2 per cent for the week ending June 28, the rate has remained in the mid-50 per cent range over the past four weeks.

Some 433 auctions were held in Sydney last week, a 2.3 per cent week-on-week reduction and 27.5 per cent lower than at the same time last year.

The preliminary clearance rate rose to 56.1 per cent, a solid bounce from the 47.4 per cent recorded the previous week.

That rise came despite 29.8 per cent of scheduled auctions being withdrawn from the market.

Of the successful Sydney auctions, 63.4 per cent sold before the property went under the hammer.

In Brisbane, 134 homes were auctioned last week, representing an 18.3 per cent decrease from the previous week and a 28.3 per cent decline compared with the same period last year.

The preliminary clearance rate fell to 30.5 per cent, a decrease of 5.4 percentage points and the second lowest preliminary result recorded this year.

Adelaide was one of the few markets busier than a year ago, with its 99 auctions almost 24 per cent above the same time in 2025, though down 10 per cent on the previous week.

The preliminary clearance rate dipped to 52.6 per cent, down 2.3 percentage points and the third lowest preliminary result so far this year.

At 53.1 per cent, the ACT reported its strongest preliminary rate in nine weeks.

The territory held 38 auctions last week, 9.5 per cent fewer than the previous week and 22 per cent fewer than the same time last year.

Perth held 10 auctions last week, with only 25 per cent reporting a positive result, and no auctions were held in Tasmania.

The number of auctions is expected to increase this week, with approximately 1570 homes currently scheduled for auction.