STATES AND TERRITORIES

Housing affordability and housing markets differ between cities and states. Some areas experience high population growth and housing shortages that place upward pressure on house prices, decreasing the availability of affordable homes for the less well off.

Between 2002-03 and 2008-09, the price of established houses in Perth and Darwin rose considerably more than in other capital cities, rising by an average of almost 14% per year. House prices in Hobart, Brisbane, and Adelaide also rose substantially, growing annually at an average of 10% or more. House prices in Canberra and Melbourne rose at an average of 6.9% and 7.5% per year during this time. The price of houses in Sydney fluctuated, but on average rose the least during the period, increasing annually on average at 1.6%.

From 2003-04 to 2007-08, there was a decline in the number of affordable home sales in all states except New South Wales and Victoria. The gross income for moderate income households in New South Wales and Victoria increased at a greater rate than the price of homes in these states during this period.