Auctions are becoming the preferred selling method in Australia’s residential property market, with new data revealing a sharp rise in properties going under the hammer over the past 15 years.

The proportion of properties sold via auction has surged, increasing from 26% of listings in Sydney in 2009 to 48% in 2025.

Melbourne has risen from 36% to 56%, Adelaide from 11% to 33%, Canberra from 30% to 49%, and Brisbane from 10% to 17% over the same period.

CoreLogic economist Kaytlin Ezzy highlights that auctions have gained momentum in recent years, particularly in a strong sellers’ market.

“We have seen very low listing levels across the board, which means buyers are competing for properties, rather than sellers competing for buyers when conditions shift,” she explains.

“With auctions maximising sale prices, they have become an increasingly popular method.”

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

Adelaide led with the highest clearance rate at 75.6%, followed by Melbourne (67.2%), Sydney (65.5%), and Brisbane (59.5%).