Property searches in some of Australia’s most sought-after suburbs have risen more than 40% in the past year.

PropTrack economist, Anne Flaherty, says the data of where online searches are increasing for properties, is a solid indicator of where there will be future price growth.

“A rise in searches in a suburb indicates a rise in demand and more competition for those properties that hit the market,” she says.

Many of the areas where searches were up had experienced stronger rates of population growth.

In Western Australia Balcatta (42%), Tuart Hill (41.2%) and Padbury (38.7%) had the biggest increase in demand.

In New South Wales Fairfield had the biggest increase of 18%, followed by Campbelltown (17%), and Blacktown and Merrylands (both up 16%).

In Melbourne, Coburg North had the biggest increase in searches (19.2%) followed by Pascoe Vale (19%) and Glenroy (18.5%).

Brisbane searches increased the most in Alderley (21.9%), Lutwyche (21.1%) and Morayfield (20.3%).