And The Winner Is Brisbane

Brisbane Property Prices, Construction Costs & the Olympics: What’s Next?

Brisbane’s property market continues to grab national attention — and for good reason. With the 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, a growing population, and construction bottlenecks caused by a skilled trades shortage, all signs are pointing to ongoing upward pressure on both prices and building costs.

The Olympics Effect: Hype or Reality?

Hosting the Olympics has historically brought a surge of investment to cities like London, Barcelona and Sydney. Brisbane is already seeing early signs of that uplift. The Games are expected to unlock over $7 billion in infrastructure spending, from the Gabba redevelopment to upgraded transport corridors and new housing precincts. While not all of that directly hits residential property, the ripple effects are very real — particularly in areas close to Olympic venues or major transport upgrades.

Put simply: infrastructure drives demand, and demand drives price.

The Cost of Building: Rising and Relentless

In Brisbane (and across Australia), the cost of building a new home has skyrocketed. According to CoreLogic and ABS data, construction costs have risen over 30% since 2020 — driven by materials shortages, global supply issues, and most significantly, a shortage of skilled trades.

Even in 2025, many builders are booked out months in advance. Labour costs remain elevated, and delays are common. Some developers are pulling back from new projects due to margin squeezes, which further tightens the pipeline of new supply.

Demand Isn’t Slowing Down

While construction struggles to keep pace, demand for housing in Brisbane remains strong. Migration from interstate and overseas is rebounding, with Queensland consistently leading the nation in net migration figures. Add to that a growing cohort of first-home buyers, upgraders, and investors, and it becomes clear: more people want homes than we currently have.

Combine that with land scarcity in well-located suburbs, and you have a recipe for rising prices — especially in areas near Olympic infrastructure and transport corridors.

So What’s Likely to Happen?

While short-term fluctuations can always occur, the fundamentals point toward continued medium- to long-term growth for Brisbane’s property market. Here’s what to expect:

• Increased competition for existing homes, particularly in the inner- and middle-ring suburbs.

• New builds remaining expensive and often delayed, keeping pressure on the established housing market.

• Renovations rising in popularity as people opt to improve rather than build from scratch.

• Olympic optimism pushing prices higher in key pockets over the next 5–7 years.

What Buyers Should Keep in Mind

If you’re considering buying in Brisbane, the key is to stay informed, look beyond the hype, and focus on long-term fundamentals. Areas that combine livability, access to upgraded transport, and quality infrastructure are likely to benefit the most from the Olympic uplift — and beyond.

At Bordain Property Advisory, we help clients cut through the noise and make smart property decisions — whether you’re buying to live or invest.