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Promised Property Red Tape Cuts: Finally… Or Just Another Committee Waiting to Happen?

At long last, Australia’s leaders are calling for less red tape—yet anyone who’s built a house knows that real reform tends to require endless committees, briefs, second‑drafts and meetings in suits.

In late August, the Albanese government unveiled a major plan to accelerate homebuilding: a four‑year freeze on further National Construction Code (NCC) changes, fast-tracking environmental approvals for more than 26,000 homes via a new “strike team,” and a dash of AI to help tradies navigate the three‑volume, 2,000‑page code. Industry groups like the Property Council and Master Builders have broadly welcomed the reforms as “sensible” and timely.

That freeze is set to last until mid‑2029, sparing safety standards and preserving the 7‑star energy efficiency baseline introduced in 2022.

The government also plans to explore modern building methods—prefab and modular construction—and tap super fund investment, potentially unlocking 35,000 new homes.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is even eyeing reform of the EPBC Act to slash environmental delays—charging approvals drivers up to $30,000 in wasted costs—and targeting up to 65,000 approvals to help hit the 1.2 million‑home target by 2029.

But let’s be real: pause the NCC, deploy AI, wave through approvals—all good headlines, but meaningful change seldom moves at the speed of sound. This is still going to require bureaucrats, layers of sign-off, and cautious lawyers second-guessing every page. Meanwhile, immigration isn’t slowing. Rentals are tight, auction clearance rates are rising, and Spring is on our doorstep. The market isn’t waiting for the corridors of power in Parliament to catch up—so why is Canberra still talking instead of building?

Bottom line: if you’re in the game, the signal is clear—this is a starving market, you are in the game of delivering what it wants. The only question is, can the government stop dithering long enough to let you feed it?

Auction Clearance Rates: The Market’s Pulse—and What It Means for You

The Numbers—Straight and Sharp

Nationally, clearance rates remain solid, though not sky‑high:

• The combined capitals averaged a 66.9% clearance rate last week, down from 73.5% the week prior—but still ahead of the 61.7% from the same time last year.
• Sydney held strong at ~80%, the highest clearance since Autumn 2024, with healthy bidder activity—averaging 4.6 registered and 2.7 active bidders per auction.
• Melbourne hit 76.5%, up from 74.8% the week before and significantly above the 63.5% from last year.
• Other regions were more varied: Brisbane dropped to 41.9%, Adelaide landed at 63.7%, and Canberra remained robust at 72.9%.
• Overall, Cotality’s preliminary national clearance rate recently climbed to 74.4%, marking the second-highest preliminary result in 2025—and extending a six-week streak above 70%.

Takeaway: The market’s still hot—but not overheated. Sydney and Melbourne are red-hot, Canberra holds firm, while Brisbane needs a pep talk.

Your Advantage: Auction-Day Tactics & Off-Market Savvy

Think of auctions as a hunt—sometimes the animal shows up, sometimes you find it later.

• Turn up and register—worst case? You get insider intel and mingle with agents. Best? The vendor’s rethought their strategy mid‑day, and you’re Johnny‑on‑the‑spot when motivation (and discount) strikes.
• Go off-market or pre‑auction whenever possible with solid unconditional offers. If a property passes in, have a post auction strategy – if you’re the high-bidder—you often get first crack at negotiating. Especially in a balanced or cooling market, that’s your opening.
• Leverage the Goldilocks factor—if the weather’s too nice or too horrible, turnout can slump. The seller needs it to be just right. A light crowd and a motivated vendor = prime conditions. Timing is a tactical weapon.

What You Can Lean Into This Weekend

Spring Awakening: The Season’s Pressure Is On—and the Market Is Leaning In

What Spring Isn’t Waiting For

Spring isn’t when you wait—it’s when the market wakes, yawns, and goes hunting. Across Australia, buyers are stirring, clearance rates are rising, and the whisper that builders will finally get their act together just isn’t cutting it.

• A recent Reuters poll projects home prices to continue climbing by 4% in 2025, then firming further to 5% in 2026 and 2027—thanks to relentless population growth, stubborn supply constraints, and a strong labor market. Sydney and Melbourne are cruising at ~3.5%, while Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth lead the charge closer to 5% growth.
• NAB’s sentiment gauge (the Residential Property Index) rebounded sharply to +40 in March 2025, with forecasts of +51 within 12 months—a green light that rate cuts (likely to 3.1% by early 2026) could turbocharge buyer confidence if they’re timed just right.
• And for standalone homes, the outlook is even brighter: ~6% annual growth is expected in 2025 and 2026, although apartments—still weighed down by structural soft spots—are lagging behind.

Your Tactical Spring Playbook

1. Expect more—and plan accordingly.
Spring isn’t just warmer weather and flowering jacarandas; it’s renewed activity and rising bids. With interest rates set to slide and optimism simmering, chances are properties will see real momentum. Be ready.

2. Standalone homes remain the hot tip.
Urban chatter and the data both point to UI and houses outpacing apartment lifts. If you’re placing your chips, houses are offering the stronger growth runway.

3. Sydney and Melbourne—maturity, not mayhem.
Yes, these caps will see gains—but don’t expect fireworks. Their climb will be steady (~3.5%), not runaway. Better action is brewing in places where affordability still gives buyers hope.

4. Watch NAB’s sentiment—and the RBA rate moves.
A tame inflation print or easing headline could jolt buyers to act. Stay sharp on the RBA watch; a cut could be the trigger that turns cautious buyers into active bidders.

Spring Snapshot: The Market At A Glance

The Property Lovers Team
Helping you run property like a business, not a gamble.

Property AI 5.0 Pilot Shortlist
Entry by interview only.
Reviewed daily. Closes once full.
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