The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ housing loan data for the September quarter of 2026 provide a clear picture of how the residential property market has reacted to the series of RBA interest rate hikes (since February 2026) and the Federal Government’s capital gains tax and negative gearing reforms (announced in May 2026).

The Australian Property Institute has compiled a state-by-state breakdown of the change in owner-occupier loans (including first-home buyers) and investor housing loans during the September quarter.

Highlights:  

  • The number of new owner-occupier loans fell 5.3% in the September quarter and was 9.8% lower than the same period last year.
  • The number of new investor housing loans was down 30.6% over the quarter, with Queensland and the ACT recording the sharpest decline.
  • The number of first-home buyer (owner-occupier) loans also fell during the quarter, with an 8.6% quarterly decline and a 12.3% reduction from the same period last year.

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