{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance Construction legal expenses insurance Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services How can safety solutions help you? Independent site inspections Solutions for your business Contracts Online HIA Tradepass HIA SafeScan Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Professional services Industrial relations Member savings Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Falls from heights Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects COVID-19 Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2023 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA products
HIA products $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Shop @ HIA Digital Australian Standards Contracts Online Shipping & delivery Purchasing T&Cs See all Products Purchase NCC 2022 Building codes & standards Economic reports Hard copy contracts Guides & manuals
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Hunter & Central Coast housing approvals 2023

Media release

Hunter & Central Coast housing approvals 2023

Media release
The latest ABS figures on new home approvals indicate that home building activity across the Hunter and Central Coast cooled slightly in 2023, reported the Housing Industry Association.

“In 2023 total dwelling approvals in the Hunter fell 7.4 per cent, while on the Central Coast total dwelling approvals fell 2.9 per cent compared to the 2022 calendar year,” said Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director.  

“This in contrast to all states and territories that saw a greater decline in the 2023 calendar year. Nationally total approvals fell 15.4 per cent, while in NSW approvals fell 17.7 per cent. 

“There was a total of 4,786 building approvals across the Hunter in 2023 and 1,586 on the Central Coast.  Combined this is 6.3 per cent weaker than in 2022, and 15.2 per cent lower than 2021.  It is 12 per cent lower than the pre covid year of 2018.

“In the Hunter detached homes remained the preference for home buyers, accounting for 55.6 per cent of all approvals.  This is despite a 17.7 per cent increase in multi-unit approvals.  On the Central Coast the mix was more even, with multi-unit approvals remaining a slight preference, accounting for 50.2 percent of all approvals. 

“Much of the heavy lifting for the residential sector continues to occur in the statistical areas of Central Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Cessnock. These top locations for approvals accounting for 89.5 per cent of total approvals”, said Mr Jennion.

“Regionally Newcastle was the biggest mover with total housing approvals increasing by 114 per cent. Detached dwelling approvals increased 16 per cent while multi-unit approvals increased by 159 per cent.  Strong approvals in the December Quarter 2023 assisted this result. 

“The value of approved major renovations and alterations increased in 2023, with Hunter approvals increasing by 10.7 per cent to $306.2 million and the Central Coast increasing by 2.9 per cent to $165.2 million.  

“Looking ahead, residential building activity will remain strong on the back of the pipeline of work approved over the past two years, however the impact of increases in interest rates and construction costs has impacted consumer confidence for detached dwellings. 
As a result, further growth in multi-unit approvals is expected in the coming years supported by strong intrastate migration.  

“Pleasingly, the relative affordability advantages the region has over other locations will support continued demand for new homes, ensuring the important contribution residential construction provides the local economy continues,” concluded Mr Jennion. 

Source: ABS Building Approvals

For more information please contact:

Craig Jennion

Executive Director - Hunter
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
08 May
Continuing Professional Development for Building and Plumbing Practitioners

HIA takes this opportunity to respond to the Continuing Professional Development for Building and Plumbing Practitioners: Regulatory Impact Statement (the CPD RIS) and proposed Building Amendment (Continuing Professional Development) Regulations (the draft Regulations).

08 May
Budget boost for more tradies and apprentices important step forward

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of a Budget commitment of $90.6 million to boost the number of skilled workers for the housing sector,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.

07 May
Victorian home building industry spared further pain

“Today’s Victorian government budget, despite being promoted as “Helping Families” does little to help many families with their most significant challenge, which is to get into a home” said HIA Victoria Executive Director Keith Ryan today.

07 May
No transition period for engineered stone in Queensland

In December 2023, Australian governments announced that they would implement a ban on the supply, installation and use of engineered stone bench top product from 1 July 2024.