Auctions are becoming an increasingly dominant selling method in Australia, with new data highlighting a significant rise in properties going under the hammer over the past 15 years.

The proportion of auction listings has surged, with Sydney rising from 26% in 2009 to 48% in 2025.

Melbourne has seen an increase from 36% to 56%, while Adelaide has jumped from 11% to 33%, Canberra from 30% to 49%, and Brisbane from 10% to 17%.

According to CoreLogic economist Kaytlin Ezzy, the growing preference for auctions has accelerated in recent years, driven by strong seller market conditions.

“With historically low listing levels, buyers are competing aggressively for properties, unlike in buyer’s markets where sellers compete for buyers,” Ezzy explains. “As a result, auctions have gained popularity as they maximise property returns.”

For mortgage lenders, this shift carries important implications. Competitive bidding at auctions can drive up property prices, impacting loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) and influencing borrowing power.

Borrowers must be financially prepared for fast-paced transactions, often requiring pre-approved financing to secure properties successfully.

The last week of March saw the busiest auction period since October 2024, with 2,905 auctions recorded, according to CoreLogic data.

Clearance rates remained strong, with Adelaide leading at 75.6%, followed by Melbourne at 67.2%, Sydney at 65.5%, and Brisbane at 59.5%.