Brisbane values ease 1.5% in September but stay 5.9% up over the year

What's happening

South-east Queensland's housing market recorded the sharpest monthly fall among Australia's capitals in September. Cotality's Home Value Index, released on 1 October 2026, shows Greater Brisbane dwelling values down 1.5% for the month, edging past Sydney's 1.4% decline.

Nationally, values fell 1.1%, the sixth consecutive monthly decline, leaving them 5.2% below the March 2026 record. Cotality said almost every capital city suburb lost value over the past three months, reflecting affordability constraints, higher interest rates, living costs and weaker sentiment.

The key details

Despite the recent falls, Brisbane values remain higher than a year ago, reflecting strong growth through 2024 and early 2026. Regional Queensland, which in Cotality's index includes the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, has proved slightly more resilient.

• Brisbane dwellings: down 1.5% in the month, down 4.7% over the quarter, up 5.9% over the year
• Brisbane median dwelling value: $1,048,880 (houses $1,146,078; units $834,627)
• Brisbane is 5.4% below its May 2026 peak, but up 55.4% over five years
• Regional Queensland: down 0.9% in the month, down 2.5% over the quarter, up 6.3% annually, with a $834,425 median
• Regional Queensland is 2.8% below its May 2026 peak
• Brisbane home sales over the past three months were 27.2% lower than a year earlier, the steepest drop of any capital
• Brisbane's rental vacancy rate was 2.1% and its gross dwelling yield 3.5%

Cotality's Tim Lawless said inventory has risen sharply even though fewer new listings are coming to market, because homes are selling more slowly. Capital city homes took a median of 39 days to sell, compared with 23 days a year earlier.

Timeline and next steps

Cotality's next monthly index, covering October, is due at the start of November. The RBA's 29 September rate rise came after the September data period, so its full effect is not yet reflected in these figures. Cotality noted that the lift in stock is improving choice for buyers, but that many lack the confidence or capacity to act.

What it means for Gold Coast property owners and developers

The figures point to a market that has shifted from strong growth to correction within a few months, with most of SEQ still ahead on a five-year view. Longer selling times and rising inventory generally give buyers more room to negotiate, so vendors may need to price closer to current evidence rather than earlier peaks.

For developers, slower sales volumes and higher finance costs can affect presale timelines and feasibility. The data does not single out the Gold Coast, so local suburb-level evidence should be checked before drawing conclusions about a particular property or site.

Frequently asked questions

How much did Brisbane home values fall in September 2026?

Cotality's index shows Brisbane dwelling values fell 1.5% in September 2026 and 4.7% over the September quarter.

Are SEQ home values still up over the year?

Yes. Brisbane values were 5.9% higher than a year earlier and regional Queensland values were up 6.3%, despite recent monthly falls.

Does this data include the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast sits within Cotality's regional Queensland index, which fell 0.9% in September, but the monthly report does not publish a separate Gold Coast figure.

Source: Cotality Home Value Index (October 2026), published 1 October 2026. This article is an independent summary and commentary by GC Prestige based on the original report — read the source for full details.