Why our $12 trillion obsession with property could be under threat

April 28, 2026 — 2:00pm

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Australian household wealth hit a record high in the December quarter of 2025 and outpaced gains in share markets. While we are richer than ever, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ balance sheet, Australians may need to recess their high allocations to property over the coming year given rising interest rate and a potential slowdown in real estate prices.

Household wealth hit a record $18.85 trillion in the December 2025 quarter, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That was boosted by rising property values, with households holding a whopping $12.53 trillion in real estate assets, up 3 per cent from the September 2025 quarter.

The total value of dwellings Australians held surpassed $12 trillion for the first time as property prices jumped, with the national mean dwelling price increased 2.7 per cent to $1.07 million over the December quarter, according to the ABS.

While the dollar level of share ownership rose over 2025, the proportion of household wealth invested in shares has dropped in the last two........

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