The Wrap Up
In August 2025, Australia’s property sales market saw a modest slowdown in remote buyer activity. Interstate inspections eased to 19.7%, while international interest softened to 5.3%, down from 21.5% and 6.3% in July.
While overall activity has cooled, cross-border buyers continue to seek opportunities in lifestyle and metropolitan markets, reflecting ongoing demand for regions offering employment, amenity, and lifestyle appeal.
Cities such as Perth, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast remain key destinations for interstate buyers, while Sydney continues to attract the largest share of international interest.
These shifts suggest a market that is settling after a period of heightened relocation activity, with buyers carefully considering where to invest their time and capital.
Here’s how each region performed:
- Sunshine Coast: Interstate demand eased to 19.3% (−2.4%), while international interest held at 3.8%. Lifestyle appeal continues to attract buyers, even with softer numbers.
- Brisbane: Recorded 21.4% interstate (−2.3%) and 4.8% international (−1.2%), showing a slight dip but maintaining the city’s consistent cross-border draw.
- Gold Coast: Bucked the national trend with 23.2% interstate (+0.8%), while international views edged up to 5.0% (+0.3%). The region remains a standout destination for both interstate and overseas buyers.
- Sydney: Interstate demand dipped to 10.3% (−1.0%), while international inspections held at 9.3% (−3.1%). Sydney retains the strongest global appeal and continues to lead for offshore demand nationwide.
- Melbourne: Demand softened with 14.7% interstate (−1.9%) and 3.6% international (−0.4%), though the city remains a significant draw for relocating buyers from other states.
- Perth: A cross-border leader, 29.2% of inspections came from interstate buyers despite a slight monthly dip, while international interest held steady at 5.1% (−1.7%), reinforcing Perth’s ongoing appeal to overseas buyers.