Auction Clearance Rates This Week: 43.9% National (3 May 2026)
National auction clearance rate hit 43.9% this week. City-by-city results for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra.
This week, Australia's national auction clearance rate came in at 43.9% across 3,008 scheduled auctions, with 1,320 properties sold. That's ↑1.6% compared to last week's 42.3%.
This week's auction results offer a clear signal for buyers: the national clearance rate is edging higher, but the story is far from uniform. A sharp rise in the biggest capitals contrasts with notable falls elsewhere, meaning local market knowledge is vital before bidding.
City-by-City Breakdown
| City | Clearance Rate | vs Last Week | Scheduled | Sold Prior | At Auction | Sold After | Total Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 37.25% | ↑8.7% | 1133 | 246 | 176 | 34 | 456 |
| Melbourne | 45.54% | ↑6.5% | 1335 | 192 | 416 | 43 | 651 |
| Brisbane | 18.26% | ↓9.7% | 230 | 17 | 25 | 6 | 48 |
| Adelaide | 48.45% | ↓4.1% | 194 | 16 | 78 | 10 | 104 |
| Canberra | 50.86% | ↑2.3% | 116 | 24 | 35 | 2 | 61 |
What The Numbers Mean
The national clearance rate rose marginally week-on-week, but the dispersion was stark. The biggest capital and the second-biggest capital both posted sharp gains, defying the softer trend seen in recent weeks [1]. In contrast, a mid-size capital and a smaller southern capital fell—the mid-size sharply—creating a two-speed market. This divergence reflects post-Easter seasonality and the impact of the RBA's latest rate hike [2], which has further strained buyer capacity in more rate-sensitive markets. For buyers, the takeaway is clear: softer conditions in the mid-size and smaller capitals favour those prepared to negotiate post-auction, while the bigger capitals remain firmly a buyer's market despite the uptick, requiring disciplined bidding within pre-set limits.
Tips for This Week's Buyers
- Use the setup wizard to define your budget zones—comfort, stretch, and limit—before auction day. Set up your auction plan.
- During the auction, rely on your bid plan and let the bid tracker alert you when you're nearing your limit zone.
- With Smart Bid's real-time bid feature, you can stay disciplined and avoid emotional overbidding, even in a hot market. Start tracking now.
References
- April clearance rate: Auction market weakens in April as home values fall
- RBA hikes interest rates: "It is a very tough time" - realestate.com.au
Ready to bid with confidence? Set up your next auction with Smart Bid.