Damon Mcknight
House sizes in Australia are measured in square metres (sqm). The average floor size of an Australian home is 186.3 sqm, the smallest it has been since 1996. However, house sizes vary across the country, with Victorian homes being the largest at 244.8 sqm, and homes in the Northern Territory being the smallest at 181.8 sqm. Australians are increasingly choosing to live in smaller homes or apartments, particularly in urban areas, due to rising house prices and the convenience of living closer to amenities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average floor size of an Australian home | 186.3 sqm |
| Average freestanding house size | 228.8 sqm |
| Average house size in Victoria | 242 sqm |
| Average house size in Perth | 242 sqm |
| Average house size in Queensland | 227 sqm |
| Average house size in New South Wales | 230 sqm |
| Average house size in Tasmania | 195 sqm |
| Average house size in ACT | 197 sqm |
| Average apartment size in Melbourne | 131 sqm |
| Average apartment size in Sydney | 129.5 sqm |
| Average land size | 474 sqm |
| Average land size desired by prospective buyers | 665 sqm |
| Average block size for new homes in Australian capital cities | 467 sqm |
| Unit of measurement | Metric units (since 1988) |
| Unit of measurement used by builders and real estate agents | Squares (imperial measurement) |
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What You'll Learn
Calculating total house square meters
Calculating the total square meters of a house in Australia can be done in a few simple steps. While real estate listings or floor plans can provide this information, it is also possible to calculate it yourself using a measuring tape, calculator, and writing tools.
Firstly, create a rough sketch or floor plan of your home, mapping out each room, including hallways. Then, measure the width and length of each room in meters and multiply these figures together to calculate the square meters of each room. Note each room's square meterage on your sketch. Repeat this process for each room until you have calculated the square meters of every room.
Next, add up all the room sizes to calculate the total square meters of your home. It is important to note that typical house measurements do not include areas such as garages, which are considered non-usable spaces. Additionally, be aware that some sale offer documents include a fine print stating that variations in dimensions of up to 10% are acceptable, so always clarify what is included and excluded in the provided quote.
When measuring the exterior dimensions of your home, you can calculate its square footage. You can also convert square measurements to square meters by multiplying by 9.290304. For example, a 54-square home is equal to 501.6 square meters.
By following these steps, you can accurately calculate the total square meters of your house in Australia.
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Comparing property sizes
Measurement Systems
Australia adopted the metric system as the sole unit of measurement in 1988. However, builders and real estate agents often use "squares", an Imperial measurement system. To convert squares to square metres, multiply by 9.290304. For example, a 54-square home is equivalent to 501.6 square metres.
Overall Plan Area
Some quoted dimensions include the volume of external walls, which are typically around 0.25 metres thick. This can result in up to two squares being attributed to external walls, which are not usable living space. Additionally, wall thicknesses can vary between properties, leading to inaccuracies when comparing overall plan areas.
Area Under the Roof
Some measurements may encompass the area under the roof, particularly if the property has full eaves. This can exaggerate the quoted dimensions by up to 40 square metres.
Garage Inclusions
The inclusion of garages in quoted dimensions can vary. Some properties may include the garage, while others may not. This inconsistency can make it challenging to compare the sizes of two properties accurately.
Tolerances
Some sale offer documents include a tolerance of up to 10% variation in dimensions. This means that the final built property may be smaller than the quoted dimensions, and it further complicates the comparison between properties.
To make an informed decision when comparing property sizes, it is essential to carefully review the provided quotes, clarify what is included and excluded, and, if necessary, perform your own measurements to ensure accuracy.
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Average house size by state
The average house size in Australia has fluctuated over the years, with a general downward trend since 2009. In 2009, the average house size in Australia was 247 square metres, the highest recorded average. The average new house built in 2017/18 was 230.8 square metres, and the average floor size of an Australian home in 2024 was recorded to be 186.3 square metres, the smallest since 1996.
Several factors influence the size of homes in Australia, including environmental concerns, household sizes, and the cost of construction. The shift towards smaller, more eco-friendly homes and the increase in demand for apartments have contributed to the decline in average house sizes.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): The ACT has consistently been reported to have the largest houses in Australia in recent years. In 2019/20, the average size of a newly built house in the ACT was 256.3 square metres, the biggest in the country. Another source reported the average size of new houses in the ACT in 2017/18 to be 242.3 square metres, second only to Victoria.
- Victoria: Victoria has consistently ranked among the states with the largest average house sizes in Australia. In 2017/18, Victoria had the largest average floor area of 244.8 square metres. Another source reported the average size of new houses in Victoria in 2019/20 to be 217 square metres, the second-biggest in the country.
- New South Wales (NSW): In 2019/20, NSW built the third-biggest houses in Australia, with an average size of 235 square metres. However, in terms of apartment sizes, NSW has some of the smallest "other dwellings" among the states, with an average size of 121.3 square metres.
- Western Australia: Western Australia has consistently ranked among the states with larger average house sizes. In 2019/20, it had the biggest average floor area for "other dwellings" (townhouses and apartments) at 150.5 square metres. In 2017/18, the average size of new houses in Western Australia was reported to be 235.3 square metres, placing it third among the states.
- Queensland: In 2017/18, Queensland ranked fourth in terms of average house size, with an average floor area of 230.8 square metres.
- South Australia: South Australia ranked third in terms of apartment sizes in 2019, with an average floor area of 133.8 square metres for "other dwellings."
- Tasmania: Tasmania consistently ranks among the states with the smallest average house sizes in Australia.
- Northern Territory: The Northern Territory is often mentioned alongside Tasmania as having the smallest average house sizes in the country. However, in terms of apartment sizes, the Northern Territory built the biggest apartments in 2019, with an average floor area of 136 square metres.
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Average house size by number of rooms
The average room size in Australia varies depending on the room use. For example, a living room is generally around 25 square metres, an average bedroom is 14 square metres, and a kitchen is 13.5 square metres. The average size for an Australian kitchen is 4.2m x 3.4m, and an average master bedroom is 4.2m x 3.9m. An average living room should be around 5.2m x 5.0m to allow for furniture and movement.
The ideal home size for a family of four in Australia is between 220m² to 260m². The average free-standing house size in Australia is 228.8 square metres, and the average home size (including apartments) is 189.8 square metres.
State by state, the average house size varies. Victoria and Perth have the largest newly built homes at 242 square metres. Queensland is next at 227 square metres, followed by New South Wales at 230 square metres. Western Australia is around the same as New South Wales, at 227 square metres. Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have the smallest houses, at 195 square metres and 197 square metres, respectively.
Apartment living is becoming more popular in Australia, with 41% of new homes being apartments. The average size of an Australian apartment is 128.8 square metres, although in Melbourne, apartments are larger, at 131 square metres, compared to Sydney, where they are 129.5 square metres.
Overall, the average size of newly built Australian homes increased by 2.9% between 2019 and 2020, and Australians tend to prefer larger homes.
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House size trends
However, despite this downward trend in average home size, Australians are still building large free-standing houses, particularly in certain states. Victoria leads the way with the biggest houses in the country, boasting an average floor area of 244.8 square metres. This is closely followed by the ACT at 242.3 square metres, Western Australia at 235.3 square metres, and Queensland at 230.8 square metres.
On the other hand, the smallest new houses are being built in the Northern Territory, with an average floor area of 181.8 square metres, followed by Tasmania at 186.8 square metres, and NSW at 220.3 square metres. It's worth noting that these averages are influenced by the increasing number of apartments being constructed, which are typically much smaller than free-standing houses.
While the average home size has decreased, the demand for larger land and floor areas persists. Prospective buyers in Australia are seeking an average land size of 665 square metres, significantly more than the current average of 474 square metres. This demand for more space may be influenced by factors such as working from home arrangements and a greater focus on at-home entertainment.
Additionally, the configuration of the home plays a role in size preferences. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the most common house configuration is a three-bedroom house, comprising 38.8% of homes. As a result, the average size of a new three-bedroom house in Australia is about 175 square metres. However, older homes in Australia were generally smaller, so existing three-bedroom homes will be notably more compact.
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Frequently asked questions
Draw a rough sketch/floor plan of your home, mapping out the rooms (including hallways). Measure each room's width and length in meters and multiply them together to calculate the square meters. Note the final calculation on your sketch and repeat this process for each room. Finally, add up all the square meters of every room to calculate the home's total square meters.
The average floor size of an Australian home is 186.3 square meters, the smallest since 1996. The average freestanding house size is 228.8 square meters.
Victoria has the biggest houses in Australia, with an average floor area of 244.8 square meters, followed by the ACT at 242.3 square meters, Western Australia at 235.3 square meters, and Queensland at 230.8 square meters. The smallest new houses are in the Northern Territory (181.8 square meters), Tasmania (186.8 square meters), and NSW (220.3 square meters).
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the most common house configuration is a three-bedroom house, making up 38.8%.
In Australia, squares are used to measure room or building size, while square meters are used for blocks or lots. Builders and real estate agents often use "squares" despite the country adopting metric units as the sole unit of measurement since 1988. To convert squares to square meters, multiply by 9.290304.
