The number of homes listed for sale last month was significantly higher than the same time last year, according to a new report.
New listings jumped to the highest level recorded for an April since 2021, according to the latest REA Group Listings Report.
There were 19% more new homes listed for sale on realestate.com.au last month compared to the same time last year.
New listings jumped by about 23% year-on-year in the capitals and 13% in regional areas, the report shows.
Increased building activity has contributed to an abundant supply of homes for sale in Canberra, such as this three-bedroom townhouse on the market in Bruce. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
REA Group executive manager of economics Angus Moore said the big increase in new listings hitting the market across Australia relative to April 2025 was partly due to the timing of public holidays last year, when Easter and Anzac Day were just a few days apart.
Vendors often avoid listing homes for sale when there are a significant number of public holidays within the campaign period to avoid missing out on potential buyers who are travelling and unable to view properties.
The biggest year-on-year increases in homes hitting the market were in the larger capitals, with new listings up 25% in Sydney, 20% in Melbourne and 32% in Brisbane.
But Canberra topped the list with a whopping 52% increase in new listings compared to a year ago.
The city is flush with properties on the market, with the total number of homes for sale 10% higher than this time last year.
Mr Moore said listings activity in Canberra had been notably stronger this year.
“While the jump in activity in Canberra compared to last year was particularly large in April, it's consistent with the general trend we've been seeing in Canberra of a busier 2026 than 2025,” he said.
Real estate agent and Belle Property Canberra principal Dan McAlpine said the surge in listings in Canberra was partly attributed to increased building activity across the city, with many recently-completed apartments put up for sale.
“There is certainly more choice in the inner areas,” he said. “A suburb that may have traditionally had 10 properties on the market at a time might have 30 properties for sale.”
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While the number of new listings hitting the market in Sydney and Melbourne was actually lower than the prior month, Brisbane recorded an increase of about 5%.
Brisbane’s rise in new listings was well above historical averages, the report noted. However the total number of homes on the market in Brisbane was still about 5% lower than a year ago, suggesting buyers there are still eagerly snapping up homes.
Sydney on the other hand has about 5% more homes for sale compared to the same time last year, while Melbourne total listings levels were flat year on year.
Total listings in Perth remain 16% lower than a year ago, despite new listings rising about 5% in April compared to March, and 15% compared to the same time last year.
Perth has been the strongest capital city in Australia for house price growth for the past few years, with a shortage in homes for sale relative to demand playing a major role.
House prices rose about 21% in the past year, according to the latest PropTrack Home Price Index, while unit prices rose even faster at 25%.
This recently-built home has just hit the market in Sorrento, a sought-after beachside suburb of Perth. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Perth real estate agent and Haiven director Sean Hughes said more homes coming to the market in Perth would improve choice and housing mobility for buyers.
“There are definitely more homes on the market compared to what there was,” he said. “More choice is a good thing, it frees up people to be able to move.”
“But the reality is we have got an undersupply of homes in Western Australia and whilst there might be a little bit more that comes to the market there still is going to be demand.”
Darwin also had a surge in new listings, up 32% compared to April last year. But the total number of homes for sale was down almost 26% amid strong buying appetite and soaring prices.
Similarly, new listings jumped about 23% in Hobart compared to last year, but total listings were still 20% lower.
Adelaide recorded a 22% jump in new listings in April, but total listings remained flat compared to a year ago.
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