{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA Tradepass Advertise jobs Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
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 Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career 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 Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners
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 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
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

Population growth central to outlook for home building

Media Release

Population growth central to outlook for home building

Media Release
“Australia is experiencing a building boom with a record level of detached homes under construction but a return of a stable and reliable growth in population is necessary to ensure economic growth,” stated HIA Economist, Angela Lillicrap.

HIA released its economic and industry Outlook Report for Australia today. The Outlook Report includes updated forecasts for new home building and renovations activity for Australia and each of the eight states and territories.

“The national economy is benefiting from a record volume of new detached homes under construction. This boom will continue well into 2022 and will support employment across the sector,” added Ms Lillicrap.

“This record volume of new detached homes under construction is occurring in all regions, and is continuing to expand.

“The elevated level of building and the speed that it emerged has resulted in demand for key building inputs outstripping supply, including materials, labour and land. The delay in the supply of materials will see the impact on labour and ancillary services remain elevated well into the second half of 2022. This is a positive for the wider economy as the economic stimulus is spread over more years, but a challenge for building businesses.

“Recent data suggests that demand for detached housing remains solid even without fiscal stimulus.

“There are also encouraging signs that demand for multi-units is returning ahead of population growth. Approvals for units have picked up in New South Wales and Queensland after a pause in 2020 as investors look through the haze of the pandemic and anticipate a return of migration.

“The renovations market is also mid-way through a record year. Unlike detached home building, we expect that this trend will continue for a number of years due to the elevated savings and increased time spent at home.

“Despite the strong outlook for the next twelve months, without a return of demand for new housing from overseas migration, there will be a decline in new home commencements over the next few years.

“Even with overseas migration re-starting next year, the volume of new home commencements will not be sustained. A decline in commencements of new homes should be anticipated from mid-2022 when homes initiated by HomeBuilder are reaching completion,” concluded Ms Lillicrap.

Population growth central to outlook for homebuilding
*HIA’s National and State Outlooks are Australia’s most comprehensive housing report card, encompassing renovations activity, new home building, policy updates, global and domestic economic analysis, and dedicated state and territory housing databases. For further information or for copies of the publication (media only) please contact: Kirsten Lewis on k.lewis@hia.com.au.

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
17 Apr
Easter & ANZAC long weekends | Site security and shutdown tips

As we head into the Easter and ANZAC long weekends, the team at HIA wishes you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break with your loved ones.

17 Apr
Technical Training Colleges important step to boost tradie numbers

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Coalition to commit $260 million to build a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges to target boosting our industry’s critical trade shortages,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.

16 Apr
Coalition to accelerate approvals to unlock more housing supply

“A key reason why the cost of government fees, charges and taxes has increased by $160,000 over the past five years, is the increased time it takes to gain approval to turn farmland into a residential suburb,” stated HIA’s Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

16 Apr
New home building remains at decade lows

“There were 168,050 new homes that commenced construction in 2024, which remains at its lowest levels in over a decade,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.

HIA National & State Outlook Report

A comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to follow quarterly forecast of home building and renovation activity.

HIA-Colorbond® steel Housing 100

Review the latest activities, market share and statistics of Australia’s largest homebuilders and residential developers.

New home sales report

Understand the current new home sales and construction activity each month.

HIA–CoreLogic Residential Land Report

Understand land prices, land sale volumes, and residential lot sizes on a capital city and non-metropolitan basis – right down to a statistical district level.

HIA Population and Residential Building Hotspots Report

Understand where the nation’s population growth and building hotspots are, so you can confidently plan for your future projects.

HIA Stamp Duty Watch

Understand the latest developments in stamp duty on home purchases.

Trades Report

Understand the availability of skilled trades and the costs associated on both a national and state level.

HIA Affordability Report

Understand the financial indicators impacting the affordability of homes in Australia.