Property doesn’t just help grow long-term wealth, it can be the foundation of personal wealth.  

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show total household wealth jumped by an additional $453.7 billion1 in the December quarter 2025 to reach a total of almost $19 trillion2. 

These are big numbers. But as Dr Mish Tan, ABS head of finance statistics, noted, “Rising house prices continue to be the main driver of growth in household wealth.” 3 

So how does property stack up as a wealth builder on a personal level? 

A handy guide here is Cotality’s regular Pain and Gain report4.  

It shows how many properties turned a profit on sale – and what sort of profit owners are making – in each quarter. 

It turns out resale profits hit a 20-year high in the December quarter of 20255. 

According to Cotality,  resales have become more profitable.  

Close to 96% of dwellings recorded a profit on re-sale in the December quarter, the strongest performance in over two decades.  

Better still, the median gain hit a record high, reaching $365,000 in December (up from $337,500 in the September quarter 2025. 

Brisbane was the most profitable capital, with a nominal gain on resale of $500,000.  

But regional markets shone too.  

In fact, the sea-change region of Kiama on the NSW south coast recorded the highest nominal gain on resale – a thumping $730,000. 

If you need more evidence, the latest market results from Cotality confirm property price growth of 9.9% over the year to April 20266. Add in rental yields, and the total return is 13.7%. 

These results far eclipse inflation (currently 3.7%7). 

This highlights how property is a proven hedge against inflation.  

Along with capital growth, property investors can benefit from CPI-based rent increases and tax-friendly returns. In addition, the real (after-inflation) value of a mortgage steadily reduces over time. 

The bottom line is that property is a proven performer for building personal wealth – regardless of whether you buy as an owner occupier, or an investor.