With four decades of property journalism experience, Jonathan Chancellor (The Australian) specializes in:
"The most compelling stories emerge where policy paperwork meets lived experience – that’s where I plant my notebook."
Jonathan Chancellor began his journalism career in the early 1980s at the Herald in Melbourne, where he cultivated a reputation for meticulous market analysis. His move to the Sydney Morning Herald as property editor marked a 25-year tenure that established him as Australia’s preeminent voice in residential real estate reporting. Today, he shapes national conversations through his columns in The Australian’s Business Review and The Daily Telegraph, blending investigative rigor with accessible storytelling.
Chancellor’s November 2024 analysis revealed a 9% rent decline across key Sydney municipalities through innovative comparison of asking prices versus bond data. His collaboration with REA Group’s Megan Lieu demonstrated how 2023’s rental increase caps created market stagnation, with landlords hesitant to adjust prices amid regulatory uncertainty. The piece became essential reading for policymakers debating tenant protections versus investor incentives.
"The Fairfield paradox shows how regulatory interventions can freeze markets rather than stabilize them – a cautionary tale for nationwide housing reforms."
Since 2018, Chancellor’s weekly column has dissected high-profile transactions and planning controversies. A March 2025 exposé on heritage-listed waterfront sales exposed loopholes in foreign investment regulations, prompting ASIC investigations. His trademark blend of insider sources and public records creates a unique window into Australia’s $10 trillion property sector.
This February 2025 deep dive analyzed how coal phase-out policies impacted regional housing demand. Chancellor tracked a 14% surge in Newcastle’s luxury acreage sales as energy workers reinvested severance packages – a trend overlooked by national outlets. His ground truthing with local agents provided critical context about Australia’s just transition challenges.
Chancellor prioritizes stories demonstrating how legislation (e.g., NSW’s 2023 Rental Reform Act) creates unintended market consequences. Pitch regional case studies with verifiable transaction data and stakeholder interviews. His Woollahra analysis succeeded by pairing council records with tenant/landlord testimonials.
Leverage archival resources when suggesting angles. His 2024 piece on interest rate cycles compared 1990s recession patterns with current data – a framework he often revisits. Provide digitized historical listings or auction catalogs to support your pitch.
Highlight connections between property and broader economic trends. Successful pitches have included construction material shortages affecting housing starts (2022) and crypto wealth fueling luxury purchases (2023). Recent work on pension fund property investments shows his continued interest in institutional players.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on RealEstate, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
