486%: 10 most popular suburbs for first home buyers

Young couple in a luxury apartment.

From Surry Hills to Payneham first home buyers have been coming out strong so far this year and playing clear favourites with certain suburbs.

New data from NAB found that lending to first home buyers reached a new record in April with those looking to enter the market being tempted by Government incentives.

“The level of first homebuyer activity has been like nothing we’ve seen in a generation,” NAB Executive, Home Ownership, Andy Kerr said.

The data reveals which suburbs have boomed in popularity with first home buyers, with some up as much as 486 per cent in a year.

Here is a breakdown state by state.

Most popular postcodes in NSW

Kerr said that while higher prices may be having an impact on first home buyers in NSW, that hasn't deterred everyone with the second highest activity on record in April for both metro and regional areas.

“The strength of the past two months in particular suggest that first home buyers remain incredibly active,” Kerr said.

Here is the top 10:

1. 2138, including Rhodes - up 291 per cent

2. 2035, including Maroubra - up 238 per cent

3. 2010, including Darlinghurst, Surry Hills - up 166 per cent

4. 2763, including Acacia Gardens - up 80 per cent

5. 2150, including Parramatta - up 87per cent

6. 2216, including Rockdale - up 61 per cent

7. 2066, including Lane Cove - up 55 per cent

8. 2530, including Dapto - up 54 per cent

9. 2229, including Caringbah - up 45 per cent

10. 2760, including Saint Mary’s - up 45 per cent

Most popular postcodes in VIC

Kerr said Victoria, and specifically Melbourne, stands out for its growth in the first four months compared to the tail-end of last year, but said there really isn’t much pattern to it.

“The end of the train lines, particularly to the south-east remain popular, where there is easy access to the Mornington Peninsula continues to draw plenty of buyers,” Kerr said.

Here is the top 10:

1. 3149 – including Mount Waverley - up 180 per cent

2. 3121 – including Richmond - up 163 per cent

3. 3136 – including Croydon - up 155 per cent

4. 3806 – including Berwick - up 146 per cent

5. 3630 – including Shepparton - up 129 per cent

6. 3400 – including Horsham - up 123 per cent

7. 3500 – including Mildura - up 73 per cent

8. 3750 – including Wollert - up 64 per cent

9. 3150 – including Glen Waverley - up 59 per cent

10. 3844 – including Traralgon - up 59 per cent

Most popular postcodes in QLD

Kerr said the most notable change in Brisbane is the interest in Fortitude Valley, where it’s likely apartments are the focus for first home buyers.

“There’s plenty of other areas that have made the list in Brisbane, while Broadbeach on the Gold Coast and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast are also proving popular this year,” he said.

1. 4006 – including Fortitude Valley - up 486 per cent

2. 4811 – including Stuart (Townsville) - up 221 per cent

3. 4170 – including Morningside, Cannon Hill - up 110 per cent

4. 4068 – including Indooroopilly - up 102 per cent

5. 4017 – including Bracken Ridge - up 90 per cent

6. 4122 – including Mount Gravatt - up 87 per cent

7. 4814 – including Aitkenvale (Townsville) - up 72 per cent

8. 4670 – Bundaberg - up 72 per cent

9. 4551 – including Caloundra - up 53 per cent

10. 4218 – including Broadbeach - up 39 per cent

Most popular postcodes in WA

Kerr said you don’t need to travel too far from the CBD to find popular suburbs for first home buyers in Western Australia.

“Like other capitals, apartments in and around the city appear to be drawing more first-time buyers, with the eastern side of Perth’s CBD seeing a jump in demand, albeit off a low base,” Kerr said.

1. 6210 – Mandurah - up 110 per cent

2. 6055 – including Caversham, Guildford - up 73 per cent

3. 6163 – including Kardinya - up 63 per cent

4. 6164 – including Cockburn - up 54 per cent

5. 6027 – including Joondalup - up 53 per cent

6. 6112 – including Armadale - up 37 per cent

7. 6018 – including Innaloo, Churchlands - up 27 per cent

8. 6061 – including Mirrabooka - up 22 per cent

9. 6280 – Busselton - up 22 per cent

10. 6530 – Geraldton - up 20 per cent

Most popular postcodes in SA

Kerr said apartments in the CBD have seen strong demand from first home buyers through the first few months of 2021.

“In regional areas, Mt Barker shone as first home buyers consider the lifestyle benefits of living in the largest town in the scenic Adelaide Hills.”

1. 5070 – including Payneham - up 473 per cent

2. 5000 – including CBD - up 82 per cent

3. 5251 – including Mt Barker - up 76 per cent

4. 5074 – including Campbelltown, Newton - up 42 per cent

Most popular postcodes in the ACT

1. 2611 – including Molonglo - up 67 per cent

2. 2913 – including Palmerston - up 34 per cent

3. 2914 – including Amaroo - up 21 per cent

Most popular suburb in TAS

1. 7008 – including Lenah Valley - up 259 per cent

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