{{ 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 Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & 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 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

Pandemic drives ‘super cycle’ of housing demand

Media release

Pandemic drives ‘super cycle’ of housing demand

Media release
Sales of new detached homes increased by a further 11.3 per cent in December.

The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.

“The increase in sales in December marks the fifth consecutive monthly increase in new home sales, a full nine months since the end of HomeBuilder,” added Mr Devitt.

“This is the highest level of new home sales since 2011, excluding the three largest spikes associated with HomeBuilder.

“Sales in the final quarter of 2021 were also 25.5 per cent higher than the previous quarter.

“Underlying demand for housing remains exceptionally strong as the pandemic continues to push households toward lower density living. It appears that the more time people spend under lockdown and working from home, the higher is the demand for detached housing and renovations activity.

“These factors are driving a ‘super cycle’ of housing demand across Australia. 

“The constraint on home building is not demand but the availability of land, labour and materials. The shortage of labour and materials has led to construction timeframes increasing significantly.

“As a result, the volume of approved-but-not-yet-commenced work is at its highest level in over a decade,” concluded Mr Devitt.

On a quarterly basis, sales in Queensland increased in the three months to December 2021 to be 49.0 per cent higher than the previous quarter. This was followed by Victoria (+36.8 per cent), New South Wales (+30.2 per cent), and South Australia (+11.2 per cent). Western Australia saw the only quarterly decline, down by 8.8 per cent.

Private new house sales - Australia (seasonally adjusted)

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
12 Feb
Home ownership gets even further out of reach for first home buyers in NSW

“Long-standing constraints on new home building in NSW, particularly land supply and planning system inefficiencies, are locking more and more first home buyers out of home ownership,” stated HIA Executive Director, NSW, Brad Armitage.

12 Feb
HIA welcomes government support to address the ‘Missing Middle”

HIA has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s announcement of a Density Incentive Grant Scheme for medium and high-density housing developments.

12 Feb
Lending restrictions should be eased

“Restrictions on lending have been progressively tightened over the past 15 years making it increasingly difficult for banks to lend to first home buyers. Despite this increase in lending restrictions and the cost of lending, mortgage delinquency in Australia remains exceptionally close to zero,” stated HIA Economist, Maurice Tapang.

11 Feb
“Australia's housing crisis is driven by lip-service, hypocrisy and an investment culture”

In his article today, published on abc.net.au, Alan Kohler states: “In 1999 came the final death knell of housing as a "right", when it became an investment asset after the Howard government halved capital gains tax.”

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.