{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationACT building approvals lift but housing supply remains critically low
ACT building approvals lift but housing supply remains critically low
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
“A total of 3,179 homes were approved in the ACT over the 12 months to August 2025 — 16 per cent fewer than during the same period a year earlier,” said HIA ACT & Southern NSW Executive Director, Geordan Murray.
“This starkly illustrates the challenge ahead for housing supply.
“Although we’ve seen a modest pickup in approvals this year, it follows a dismal 2024, which recorded the lowest volume of new home approvals since 2006.
“Detached house approvals have been steady in recent months, with total approvals for the three months to August sitting 18 per cent higher than the same quarter last year. It’s a welcome sign, but still nowhere near enough to meet the level of demand.
“There are early signs of improvement in the ‘missing middle’ segment of the market.
“A modest lift in approvals for townhouses, duplexes, and other medium-density homes is encouraging after several very difficult years.
“The ACT Government’s ‘missing middle’ reforms should help accelerate the delivery of these types of homes. However, the substantial tax on lease variations risks acting as a handbrake on progress.
“Only 1,795 dwellings were approved in larger apartment projects over the past year — 27 per cent fewer than in the previous year.
“While approvals in the first eight months of 2025 appear to be trending upwards, activity remains well below the levels needed to support population growth and improve housing affordability.
“To achieve the ACT Government’s goal of delivering 30,000 new homes by 2030, we need a substantial and sustained lift in approvals across all housing types.
“At the current pace, we are set to fall well short of this target,” concluded Mr Murray.
For more information please contact:
Help to Buy on the way for Tasmanians
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s decision to join the Federal Help to Buy Scheme, describing it as a sensible and long overdue step that will help more Tasmanians into home ownership while supporting new housing supply.
ACT Government's plan for trade licensing a step closer with consultation now open
The ACT Government has released a consultation paper exploring the extension of occupational licensing to additional construction trades.
National approach to granny flats to unlock thousands of new homes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is calling for a unified national framework for granny flats and secondary dwellings to ease the housing affordability squeeze - arguing that we could learn from recent changes in Tasmania to permit up to 90 per square metre granny flats and our neighbours in New Zealand who are now fast-tracking compliant small homes.
HIA calls for ‘knock-down rebuild’ of the National Construction Code
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has lodged a major submission calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the National Construction Code (NCC), warning that excessive regulation and complexity is slowing the delivery of new homes across Australia.