FX.co ★ Australian Home Prices Rise at Slower Pace in March

Australia’s Cotality Home Value Index rose 0.6% in March 2026, easing from a 0.7% increase in February. The loss of momentum reflects changing expectations around further interest rate hikes, which have cooled price growth and dampened market activity. The slowdown was most evident in Sydney and Melbourne, where prices edged down by 0.1% and 0.2% respectively, accompanied by a marked decline in transaction volumes. In contrast, mid-sized capitals continued to post solid gains, with Brisbane (+1.8%), Adelaide (+1.2%) and Perth (+2.5%) leading the market. With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) signalling additional rate increases ahead, the housing sector is confronting mounting headwinds, making a renewed acceleration in price growth unlikely in the near term.