{{ 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
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 2025 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

New home sales fall in February

Media release

New home sales fall in February

Media release
New home sales fell by 7.0 per cent in February following an 8.3 per cent decline in January.

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.
“Despite this decline over the past two months, sales in the three months to February were up by 11.5 per cent on the previous quarter,” added Mr Devitt.

“The declines in the first two months of 2022 follow an exceptionally strong performance in the final months of 2021.

“It is likely that the Omicron outbreak and extended holidays have tempered sales in these months. It is also possible that sales are moderating since the post-Delta surge that emerged in the final months of 2021. However, monthly variation can be significant in New Home Sales and it is too soon to draw conclusions from two months of data. 

“Sales in 12 months to the end of February were just 2.6 per cent lower than in the previous year.

“The volume of work under construction and approved but not yet commenced remains at record highs and will continue to keep builders busy across Australia, supporting strong levels of employment into 2023.

“Even as borders re-open and the functioning of supply chains improves, the salient constraint on builders this year will continue to be the availability of land, labour and materials.

“Shortages of shovel-ready land is especially likely to weigh on new home sales in the coming months as the pool of available land has been exhausted,” concluded Mr Devitt.
All of the big states saw declines in February, except Western Australia, which bounced back from its January low.

On a quarterly basis, sales in New South Wales increased in the three months to February 2022 to be 22.7 per cent higher than the previous quarter. This was followed by Victoria (+20.5 per cent), Queensland (+16.1 per cent), and South Australia (+8.8 per cent). Western Australia saw the only quarterly decline, down by 22.0 per cent.

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
30 May
Detached house approvals picking up

“There were 9,490 detached homes approved in the month of April 2025, up by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous month,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang.

29 May
State Budget is a missed opportunity to stimulate housing

The Treasurer has handed down the 2025/26 Tasmanian Budget. The Budget focuses on alleviating cost of living pressures, health, education and infrastructure, while mapping out a path to a fiscal balance surplus in 2032/2033.

29 May
HIA supports bipartisan approach to planning reform NSW

“The NSW planning system has failed to deliver the number of homes we desperately need and we fully support removing the politics from housing, to address this growing crisis,” said Brad Armitage, HIA Executive Director NSW.

27 May
Opposition pledge to remove stamp duty for first home buyers welcomed (Vic)

The Victorian Opposition’s announcement that it would remove stamp duty for first-home buyers spending up to $1 million on a new or existing home if elected at next year’s state election, is a positive step towards improving home affordability,” says Steven Wojtkiw, HIA Victoria Deputy Executive Director.

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.