No September growth in any capital, with Brisbane hardest hit

Brisbane was the poorest-performing capital, with a 2.7% drop in the quarter. Nationally Australia's housing market continued to be sluggish, with prices falling 1.6%, according to Australian Property Monitors.

After its fifth consecutive quarterly fall, the national median house price declined over the quarter to $536,011.

Hobart was the only city to escape a fall in house prices, recording no change over the quarter at $327,340.

Brisbane is now mainland Australia’s cheapest capital for houses with prices at $429,339.

Sydney values dipped 1.8%, Canberra 1.4%, Perth and Darwin 1.6% and Adelaide 2%.

Melbourne median values fell the least, by 0.9%, making a total fall of 3.2% in the year to September 30.

Canberra was the only capital to show annual house price gains up 0.9% for the year to $566,095.

The median house price figures compiled by Fairfax-owned Australian Property Monitors suggested buyers were concerned about the global economy, a weak share market and unemployment, according to APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson.

Buyer wariness would remain, Wilson says, even as a potential fall in interest rates would be unlikely to have a significant impact on house prices in the short term.

The median unit price lost 0.6% to $406,342 across Australia.

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