Sydney’s sky-high property prices – currently the second-most unaffordable in the world – make owning a home in the Harbour City a distant dream for many. But for those in a position to get a foot on the ladder, knowing where to look is half the battle. Thankfully, we’ve got the intel – prop tech firm InfoTrack releasing Property Market Updates every quarter, identifying the best spots for first-time buyers to invest. According to the latest report, after a year at the top, Liverpool has been nudged from its crown, with Western Sydney’s Schofields emerging as the new favourite for first home buyers. According to the latest InfoTrack report, Schofields recorded the highest volume of first-home sales between 1 July and 30 September, leaving Liverpool in third place.
The suburb isn’t just popular with newbies; it also landed second place in overall sales last quarter, making its first appearance in the top 10 of NSW’s best-performing suburbs overall. Other newcomers to the list included Blacktown, Penrith, and Baulkham Hills.
The draw? According to InfoTrack’s Chief Operating Officer, Lee Bailie, significant investment in local schools, recreational facilities, essential services and transport links is boosting both interest and property values in Schofields.
“Schofields has secured a dominant position at the top of the first home buyer list, recording more than double the activity of Blacktown, which ranked second,” Mr Bailie said.
“It’s a suburb that consistently performs well – this appearance at number one marks the third consecutive quarter Schofields has ranked in the top five suburbs for first home buyers.”
While Schofields reigns for first-home buyers, Austral took the top spot overall, thanks to its affordable median house price of $700,000 and vacant land at $650,000, all within a key growth corridor. Meanwhile, Baulkham Hills topped the median house price chart at $1.8 million and came close to leading for strata properties at $990,000, narrowly edged out by nearby Box Hill ($1.07 million).
Bailie noted the Hills Shire’s resilience: “The Hills Shire overall is proving to be one of the most resilient and desirable areas for both experienced buyers and first home buyers, with Baulkham Hills entering the top 10 for the first time and nearby Box Hill and Rouse Hill continue to attract strong interest.”
Outside of Sydney, the Mid North Coast’s Port Macquarie made waves, debuting at number six for first home buyers and breaking into the top 10 for overall sales.
The data also reveals a decline in standalone house sales, which accounted for 54.29 per cent of total property sales in Q3 2025, down from 59.73 per cent in Q2 2025. Bailie points out this shift reflects buyers exploring higher-density or more affordable options like apartments, townhouses, or vacant land – a trend driven by broader affordability pressures.
The top-performing suburbs share a compelling combination of affordability, accessibility, lifestyle, and long-term growth potential – making them ideal for buyers looking to balance cost, convenience and future value. For anyone chasing their first home, or seeking a smart investment in NSW, it seems Schofields is the place to be right now.
These are the top 10 suburbs in NSW for first-time buyers right now
1. Schofields
2. Blacktown
3. Liverpool
4. Penrith
5. Westmead
6. Port Macquarie
7. Gosford
8. Wentworthville
9. Campbeltown
10. Rouse Hill
You can browse the full report here.