Aussie first-home buyer hotspots revealed

Mortgage applications jumped 10.3 per cent last quarter. These are the suburbs drawing the most heat, and the pockets where value still stacks up.

A fresh cut of national credit data shows first-home buyer intent is surging even as overall mortgage balances edge lower year-on-year. The pattern points to an affordability ceiling: buyers are funnelling into suburbs with solid transport links and a deep pool of units and townhouses that sit under common lending thresholds.

Below we’ve mapped the busiest entry-level corridors and the “opportunity” pockets where medians remain closer to typical first-buyer budgets. Medians combine houses and units and are indicative only.

New South Wales

Sydney’s west and inner-south are doing the heavy lifting. Parramatta ($704,000), Blacktown ($728,000), Castle Hill ($779,000), Hurstville ($719,000) and Marrickville ($720,000) are attracting strong enquiry thanks to rail access, employment hubs and a broad mix of older apartments.

For buyers chasing value without straying too far, Leumeah ($543,000), Forestville ($601,000), Emu Plains ($617,000), Como ($619,000) and Stanhope Gardens ($619,000) are worth a look — especially for well-kept strata stock with modest outgoings.

Queensland

First-home activity is clustering around Gold Coast–Brisbane corridors with lifestyle appeal. Pimpama ($660,000), Southport ($680,000), West End ($617,000), Coorparoo ($665,000) and Palm Beach ($720,000) are stand-outs on connectivity and amenity.

Those needing a sharper buy-in price should test Chapel Hill ($498,000), Holmview ($505,000), Daisy Hill ($509,000), Brassall ($521,000) and Goodna ($530,000) — areas where townhouses and established units can still clear bank buffers.

Victoria

Inner-city living is back on the menu for budget-minded buyers willing to trade space for walkability. Melbourne (inner) ($585,000), Richmond ($665,000), Tarneit ($594,000), Southbank ($615,000) and South Yarra ($630,000) are drawing steady applications, underpinned by strong rental demand and public transport.

For entry points under the metro median, Melton South ($477,000), Burnside ($489,000), Keilor Downs ($492,000), Skye ($520,000) and Roxburgh Park ($524,000) continue to offer relative value — with newer townhouses often the handiest stepping-stone.

What’s pushing these pockets

Lower price bands, reliable transport and a ready supply of attached dwellings are concentrating demand. Government deposit support can help some buyers clear the deposit hurdle; equally, tight stock means incentives may add heat in popular streets. Build buffers into your sums and stress-test repayments at least three percentage points above today’s rate.

How to shop it smartly

Set your shortlist where the suburb median sits 5–10 per cent under your pre-approval to allow for competitive bidding. Prioritise commute time and building quality over raw bedroom count, read strata reports carefully, and focus on micro-location — the best street and aspect in an “average” suburb typically outperforms.

Notes: Prices are suburb-level medians at the time of analysis and can move quickly. This article is general in nature and is not financial advice.