This week, Australia's national auction clearance rate came in at 38.3% across 1,550 scheduled auctions, with 593 properties sold. That's ↓3.9% compared to last week's 42.2%.

This week's clearance rate slipped further into buyer territory, signalling that vendors are increasingly having to meet the market. For buyers, the softer conditions across most capitals mean patience and preparation are more valuable than ever.

City-by-City Breakdown

City	Clearance Rate	vs Last Week	Scheduled	Sold Prior	At Auction	Sold After	Total Sold
Sydney	35.85%	↓0.7%	728	145	116	29	290
Melbourne	36.07%	↓6.7%	499	43	137	16	196
Brisbane	17.28%	↓4.8%	162	5	23	5	33
Adelaide	37.93%	↓7.4%	116	14	30	8	52
Canberra	44.44%	↑0.2%	45	13	7	2	22

What The Numbers Mean

The biggest capital saw a marginal decline, while the second-biggest capital and a smaller southern capital both posted sharp falls, pulling the national rate lower [1]. Only the smallest capital bucked the trend with a slight rise. This dispersion reflects a market still adjusting to the post-Easter slowdown, compounded by the RBA's recent rate hike [2] and ongoing uncertainty around investor tax changes [3]. With the national rate now well below the threshold for a buyer's market, buyers in most cities can afford to be selective and negotiate harder post-auction, especially in mid-tier suburbs where vendor expectations have not yet adjusted.

Tips for This Week's Buyers

Use the setup wizard to define your budget zones before auction day, so you know exactly when to stop. Set up your auction plan.
During the live auction, rely on your bid tracker to stay disciplined and avoid emotional overbidding.
Smart Bid's real-time bid alerts help you stick to your limit zone, even when the pace picks up. Start tracking now.

References

Ready to bid with confidence? Set up your next auction with Smart Bid.