Home auction numbers plunge amid new price disclosure rules

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 05:02 · Archive

Home auctions have dropped sharply following the introduction of reserve price transparency rules in Victoria.

The introduction of reserve price transparency rules in Victoria has coincided with a steep national decline in home auctions. The rules, which came into effect on Friday, make it mandatory for reserve prices to be published a week ahead of auction dates in an effort to tackle underquoting.

Melbourne led a national drop in the number of homes going under the hammer. Only 1,423 capital city homes were auctioned during the week, down 18.6 per cent from the previous week and almost 46 per cent lower than the same time in 2025. Melbourne experienced the biggest reduction, with 500 homes hitting auction, down 29 per cent on the previous week and 56 per cent lower than the same week a year earlier.

Cotality research director Tim Lawless attributed the steep national decline to a 'sharp reduction' in sales under the hammer in the Victorian capital, coinciding with the introduction of the price-disclosure rules. Clearance rates across the capital cities stood at 51 per cent, based on preliminarily available data, with Melbourne at 56.2 per cent and Sydney at 54.6 per cent. Rates below 60 per cent are considered to point towards a falling market.

National house prices have declined 5.2 per cent since March. Auction activity was set to further ease in the coming week, with 1,240 homes scheduled to go under the hammer.

How it is being reported

• Home auctions take a hit with price disclosure rulesThe number of homes going under the hammer has plunged as price disclosure rules in one state feed into a property market in decline.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 04:29
• Home auctions take a hit with price disclosure rulesThe number of homes going under the hammer has plunged as price disclosure rules in one state feed into a property market in decline.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 04:29

In this story: Victoria · Melbourne · Sydney · Cotality · Tim Lawless

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