Auction Clearance Rates This Week: 42.9% National (19 Apr 2026)
National auction clearance rate hit 42.9% this week. City-by-city results for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra.
This week, Australia's national auction clearance rate came in at 42.9% across 3,084 scheduled auctions, with 1,323 properties sold. That's ↑1.0% compared to last week's 41.9%.
This week's uptick in the national clearance rate offers a glimmer of hope for buyers, but the trend remains firmly in their favour. With most capitals rising and the market phase firmly buyer-oriented, those prepared to act decisively can still find opportunities.
City-by-City Breakdown
| City | Clearance Rate | vs Last Week | Scheduled | Sold Prior | At Auction | Sold After | Total Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 37.85% | ↑0.5% | 1247 | 266 | 206 | 31 | 503 |
| Melbourne | 43.69% | ↑2.7% | 1362 | 199 | 396 | 44 | 639 |
| Brisbane | 22.78% | ↑0.1% | 237 | 19 | 35 | 10 | 64 |
| Adelaide | 43.59% | ↓0.3% | 156 | 14 | 54 | 10 | 78 |
| Canberra | 46.34% | ↓9.5% | 82 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 39 |
What The Numbers Mean
The national clearance rate edged higher this week, driven by gains in the biggest capital and the second-biggest capital, while a smaller southern capital and the smallest capital softened, creating a two-speed story [1]. This dispersion reflects the lingering caution from geopolitical uncertainty and rate fears that have kept many buyers on the sidelines [2], but the multi-week downward trend has now paused, suggesting a floor may be forming. For buyers, this means that while competition remains subdued in softer markets like Adelaide and Canberra, the stronger performance in Sydney and Melbourne signals that well-priced properties are still attracting attention. In this buyer's market, the key is to focus on properties that have been on the market longer, where vendors may be more flexible on price.
Tips for This Week's Buyers
- Use the setup wizard to configure your budget zones and know your limit before bidding starts. Set up your auction plan.
- During the auction, rely on your bid plan and let the bid tracker keep you disciplined as the pace quickens.
- Smart Bid's real-time bid alerts help you stick to your strategy and avoid emotional overspending at the fall of the hammer. Start tracking now.
References
- 'Day of reckoning' for vendors as auction results stay flat - AFR
- Auction clearance rates slump, Sydney property prices could end the year down 5pc as buyers worry about war, interest rates and petrol prices
Ready to bid with confidence? Set up your next auction with Smart Bid.