{{ 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

Pipeline of new homes construction grows

Media release

Pipeline of new homes construction grows

Media release
Detached home commencements fell by 10.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2021 but the number of homes under construction continues to grow.

The ABS today released its building activity data for the December 2021 quarter. This data provides estimates of the value of building work and number of dwellings commenced, completed, under construction and in the pipeline, across Australia and its states and territories.

“With 32,420 commencements, this quarter is still one of the strongest on record and stronger than any quarter in the 20 years before the pandemic,” added Mr Devitt.

“The 2021 calendar year saw 147,760 detached house commencements, the strongest calendar year on record, up by 30.5 per cent on the previous year and 11.6 per cent higher than the previous peak in 1988/89.

“The decline in the number starts in the final quarter of 2021 reflects a slowing from the peak of the HomeBuilder projects in the June 2021 quarter. It is not a reflection of a slowing market. Other indicators, such as building approvals, finance approvals and new home sales, continue to show a strong volume of work entering the pipeline.

“Construction time frames have increased significantly. Under normal circumstances, the surge of HomeBuilder projects would have translated into an increase in completions from the June 2021 quarter. However, completions had barely risen even by the end of 2021. As a result, the volume of work under construction has reached new highs.

“Multi-unit commencements also strengthened in 2021. Despite falling by 19.0 per cent in the final quarter, 80,610 commencements were still recorded for 2021, up by 15.0 per cent on the previous year.

“This included high rise apartments, as investors looked through the haze of the pandemic in 2021 with more optimism, as well as medium density units and townhouses.

“Strong employment conditions, rising house prices and consumer confidence are continuing to support housing demand. This boom is expected to continue supporting strong levels of employment into 2023,” concluded Mr Devitt.

Most jurisdictions saw declines in the December 2021 quarter in new house commencements, led by the Tasmania (-34.6 per cent), Victoria (-20.9 per cent), New South Wales (-13.2 per cent), Queensland (-12.2 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-6.3 per cent). Increases were seen in South Australia (+18.7 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (+17.1 per cent) and Western Australia (+12.6 per cent).

Most jurisdictions also saw declines in multi-unit commencements in the quarter, led by the Northern Territory (-80.0 per cent), Western Australia (-63.0 per cent), Tasmania (-44.3 per cent), New South Wales (-26.3 per cent), Victoria (-12.2 per cent), and Queensland (-2.6 per cent). The Australian Capital Territory and South Australia were the only jurisdictions to see increases, up by 71.4 per cent and +28.6 per cent, respectively.

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
15 Nov
New Housing Delivery Authority for faster approvals (NSW)

The NSW Premier announced the establishment of a new state-led approval pathway for major residential housing projects, effectively by-passing local councils for major projects.

15 Nov
New Housing Delivery Authority signals a shift towards faster approvals (NSW)

Today the NSW Premier announced the establishment of a new state-led approval pathway for major residential housing projects, effectively by-passing local councils for major projects.

15 Nov
Accessing Cybersecurity Support Services

Free Cyber Support for Small Businesses: Learn more about the government’s new service for supporting small businesses involved in a cyber security incidents.

14 Nov
BPICs announcement will help to build more homes in Queensland

To have any hope of delivering the quantity of new homes desperately needed in Queensland to address not only the current housing shortage but demand into the future, we need all sectors of the home building industry to be firing.

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.