Overview
- Perth is forecast to record the strongest 2026 house price rise at 12.8% with units up 11.6%, while Brisbane is tipped to gain 10.9% for houses and 7.8% for units.
- National house values are projected to climb 7.7% in 2026, with KPMG citing persistent supply shortfalls and fast population growth, particularly in Perth and south‑east Queensland.
- The expanded 5% Deposit Scheme has assisted more than 21,000 buyers since October 1, with Cotality reporting faster Q4 gains for homes under the scheme’s caps (3.6% versus 2.4%) and Treasury estimating a modest 0.5% price impact over six years.
- KPMG assumes the cash rate holds in the near term, though money markets have priced potential hikes as early as next week; Dr Brendan Rynne says a 25 basis point rise would likely slow, not stall, growth.
- Governments highlight longer‑term supply plans, including the Commonwealth’s National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes by mid‑2029 and Queensland’s goal of one million by 2044 with 53,000 social and affordable dwellings.