How big was the property boom? Australian house prices soar to record heights

A fancy blue house on a wet street in the evening
Photo by Ralph Kelly.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has officially confirmed what we all guessed in 2021: housing prices went kaboom. 

According to their newly released data , Australian residential property prices in the capital cities ballooned by 23.7% throughout the year – the strongest annual growth on record. 

However, the headliners were not the classic Sydney-Melbourne duo we’d expect. Instead, the speedster capitals were:

  • Hobart (+30%)
  • Canberra (+29%)
  • Brisbane (+28%)
  • Sydney (+27%)
  • Adelaide (+24%).

Each of the above experienced their largest annual rise since the ABS began tracking house prices in 2003.

Meanwhile, Melbourne (+20%) trailed behind the pack despite experiencing its highest June quarter surge since 2010. Perth and Darwin brought up the rearguard, with only 16% and 13% rises, respectively.

Residential property price index graph from the ABS.

ABS head of prices statistics Michelle Marquardt remarked that these results were consistent with a host of market indicators, including seductively low fixed-rate home loans

“Record low interest rates and strong demand have continued to support growth in property prices,” she observed.

This growth pushed the total value of Australia’s 10.8 million residential homes to over $9.9 trillion in December 2021 (a $2 trillion increase from December 2020).

Australian mean dwelling prices, December quarter, bar graph of capital cities.

As a result, the mean price of Australian residential dwellings is now $920,000, with NSW registering as the priciest state with an average $1.2 million per property.

Australian housing affordability pushed to crisis point, but there is hope on the horizon for home-buyers

Orange smokey clouds at twilight above a white suburban house.
Photo by Gus Ruballo.

This latest announcement seems pretty grim, with the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) estimating that borrowers spent an average of 37% of their incomes on mortgage repayments in December 2021. 

But while there are many justified calls for federal solutions to the affordability crisis, relief glints on the horizon for first time home buyers

Many experts predict that prices will peak at some point this year, with some estimating a drop of -10% in 2023. We may already be seeing the impending wobbles, since property prices in Sydney saw their first drop since 2020 just this month. 

Furthermore, fixed-rate home loans – whose affordability partially fueled the property boom – are poised to rise again later this year, which will likely cool the red-hot market. 

Though it can be hard to gauge where the housing market will take us specifically, home loan comparison and analysis of 2022’s property trends will be key to breaking in.

Looking for an edge in the property market? Off-market buying could be for you. 

Alternatively, you can browse and compare affordable home loan options below.

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Last updated 22 November 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • Fixed Home Loan

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <95%
    Interest rate
    5.69 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.28 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,899
    Go to site

    Get the security of a competitive fixed rate home loan for 2 years with IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Up to 12 months repayments in advance without penalties. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.

  • Fixed Rate

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <80% LVR
    Interest rate
    5.74 % p.a.
    Fixed 3 years
    Comparison rate
    6.81 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,915

    Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.

  • Unloan Variable

    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
    Go to site

    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • Budget Home Loan

    • LVR <80%
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.04 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.07 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,011
    Go to site

    Enjoy a discounted variable home loan from IMB. Get up to $4,000 cashback (T&Cs apply). Life-of-loan discount off IMB’s standard variable interest rate. Unrestricted additional repayments. Free Internet and Mobile Banking redraws (T&Cs apply). No monthly fees to pay. Up to a 30 year loan term. Split loan available. No offset account.

  • Mortgage Simplifier

    • LVR<80%
    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    Interest rate
    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.17 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043

    Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.

  • Elevate

    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • <80% LVR
    Interest rate
    6.18 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.18 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,056

    Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.

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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

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