Trust Remains the Missing Link in Australia’s Property AI Adoption

Australia’s Trust Gap in Property AI

The study indicates that Australian buyers are not opposed to AI technology itself. Rather, they appear to have a lower tolerance for risk when AI influences high-value financial decisions.

When asked about errors in property-related information, 42% of Australian respondents reported having zero tolerance for mistakes in listing data, valuations or risk assessments, compared with a global average of 33%.

This reflects the increasingly digital nature of the housing journey, where buyers rely heavily on online platforms to compare properties, assess market conditions and evaluate financial commitments before engaging directly with agents, lenders or advisers.

As AI adoption expands across the sector, maintaining confidence in data quality is likely to become a critical competitive advantage for property service providers.

Source: Cotality Global Property AI Study 2026

Buyers Expect Transparency and Human Oversight

Despite concerns, buyers broadly recognise that AI is already influencing the property market.

Globally, three in four respondents believe artificial intelligence plays some role in the homebuying process, while 86% assume property websites already use AI-driven tools and algorithms.

However, acceptance does not necessarily equate to trust.

• 68% of buyers want clear disclosure whenever AI generates property listings, valuations or mortgage recommendations.

• The same proportion would independently verify AI-generated information before making a housing decision.

• 44% would pay additional fees for expert verification of AI-generated outcomes.

These findings highlight the continued importance of human oversight in high-stakes property transactions, even as automation expands.

Source: Cotality AI in Housing Report 2026

Implications for the Property Industry

The findings suggest that the next phase of AI adoption in real estate will be shaped less by technological capability and more by trust, governance and explainability.

As AI tools become increasingly capable of supporting valuation modelling, market forecasting, lending assessments and customer engagement, industry participants may face growing pressure to demonstrate how decisions are generated, what data is used, and who remains accountable when outcomes are challenged.

For Australian consumers, transparency appears to be a prerequisite for broader adoption. Organisations that combine advanced analytics with clear disclosure, reliable data sources and accessible human expertise are likely to be better positioned to build long-term confidence in AI-enabled property services.

Source: Cotality 2026 Property AI Analysis

Market Outlook

Artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasingly important role across Australia’s property ecosystem, improving efficiency, accelerating decision-making and enhancing market insights.

However, the research suggests that technological adoption alone will not determine success. Consumer confidence, regulatory accountability and transparent implementation will be equally important factors.

As the industry moves beyond the question of whether AI should be used, attention is shifting toward how AI is applied, how outcomes are validated, and how trust is maintained throughout the decision-making process.

For Australia’s property sector, the challenge is no longer introducing AI—it is demonstrating that AI can be trusted.

Source: Cotality Global Study 2026