An independent Australian journal

On the ground

City guides

How the job changes in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and the regions.

House in Griffith ACT

On the ground

Canberra and regional buyer's agents

Canberra is a planned city with public-service moves baked into the calendar. Regional Australia adds a second problem: the licence and the kilometres have to match the state you are buying in.

19 May 2026

Cottage in North Adelaide

On the ground

Adelaide buyer's agent guide

Adelaide often has tighter stock than the larger capitals, and a lot of what comes up is stone, villa and bungalow housing. Here is how a licensed buyer's agent works in that smaller, sharper market.

5 May 2026

Cottesloe, Perth

On the ground

Perth buyer's agent guide

Perth still moves with a resources cycle, and the same budget buys a different life on the coast and in the inner suburbs. Here is how a licensed buyer's agent works in that city.

21 April 2026

Queenslander in Sherwood

On the ground

Brisbane buyer's agent guide

South East Queensland is still a growth story, and a lot of the housing is timber, tin and stumps. Here is how a licensed buyer's agent works in Brisbane and the wider SEQ market.

7 April 2026

East Melbourne terrace pair

On the ground

Melbourne buyer's agent guide

Melbourne still splits its selling methods — auction in some streets, private treaty in others — and the paperwork starts with a section 32. Here is how a licensed buyer's agent works in that mix.

24 March 2026

Paddington terraces in Sydney

On the ground

Sydney buyer's agent guide

Sydney still runs on Saturday auctions and a price level that sits above the rest of the country. Here is how a licensed buyer's agent actually works in that market — and how to check they are allowed to.

10 March 2026