The rise in the preliminary auction clearance rate across the combined capital cities signifies increased success for homes taken to auction, following a period impacted by lower activity. For the last reported week (ending October 12, 2025), the combined capital city preliminary clearance rate rose to 73.0%, marking the highest rate recorded in three weeks.

Context of Auction Activity and Volume

The increase in the preliminary clearance rate occurred alongside a substantial surge in overall auction activity. There were 2,613 homes taken to auction across the combined capitals last week. This represented a significant increase of 33.5% compared to the previous week, when only 1,958 auctions were held. The prior week’s lower volume was directly attributed to a long weekend affecting auction activity in four of the eight states and territories.

The current preliminary rate of 73.0% compares favorably to the previous week’s preliminary rate of 71.9%. It is important to note the distinction between preliminary and final clearance rates; the previous week’s 71.9% preliminary rate ultimately revised down to 67.4% once finalized. Preliminary results are based on results collected by Cotality, which on average collects 99% of auction results each week. Out of the 2,613 auctions held last week, 1,977 preliminary results were collected, identifying 1,443 cleared auctions and 534 uncleared auctions across the combined capitals. Furthermore, the current volume (2,613) is roughly comparable to the 2,598 auctions held during the same period last year, but the preliminary clearance rate (73.0%) is significantly higher than the 60.8% recorded a year ago.

Contribution of Major and Smaller Capitals

The overall combined capitals increase was strongly influenced by the two largest markets, Sydney and Melbourne, both of which reported preliminary rates exceeding 73%.

• Melbourne was the busiest auction market, hosting 1,254 auctions, an increase from 1,164 the week prior. Melbourne recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 73.5%, which was also its highest rate in three weeks.

• Sydney held 1,003 auctions, a sharp rise from 511 the week before (due to the impact of the Labour Day long weekend). Sydney’s preliminary clearance rate stood at 73.9%, up from 72.4% the previous week (which finalized at 68.3%).

Among the smaller capitals, the results were mixed:

• Adelaide demonstrated the strongest preliminary performance, with 96 homes going to auction. Adelaide’s early clearance rate was 80.6%, rising from 78.8% the week prior.

• Brisbane hosted the most auctions among the smaller capitals, with 133 homes going under the hammer. However, Brisbane’s preliminary clearance rate saw a slight dip to 68.5%, down from 69.3% the previous week (which finalized at 65.5%).

• The ACT (Canberra) held 106 auctions but reported a preliminary clearance rate of 61.5%, a decrease from 70.6% the week prior.

• Perth held 18 auctions and recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 60.0%.

In summary, the combined capitals saw both a recovery in auction volume following a long weekend and a notable strengthening in preliminary clearance success, driven primarily by strong preliminary results in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The current preliminary results will be finalized with ‘final’ auction clearance rates published each Thursday.