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.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
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.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for February for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“As expected, detached building approvals increased by 15.6 per cent and multi-units by 104.8 per cent,” added Mr Devitt.
“Approvals were held back in January by the Omicron outbreak and a higher than usual uptake of holiday leave. The absence of Council workers, private certifiers and building business staff weighed on the ability to process approvals.
“February’s data illustrates that the approvals for detached homes remain above pre-pandemic levels.
“Approvals of multi-units in February represented the second strongest month since June 2018. Affordability issues, land constraints and a return to the city is seeing increased demand for units, townhouses and apartments.
“It is also an encouraging sign that apartment construction will return prior to the return of overseas migration.
“The value of renovations approved also remains elevated. The last 12 months has seen the value of renovations approved increase by 44.4 per cent on the year before the pandemic.
“This elevated level housing demand will keep builders busy this year and well into next year, limited by the availability of land, labour and materials,” concluded Mr Devitt.
In seasonally adjusted terms, total residential building approvals decreased in the last three months compared to the previous quarter in Western Australia (-20.8 per cent), Queensland (-9.4 per cent), South Australia (-3.6 per cent), and New South Wales (-0.1 per cent), while increasing in Victoria (+1.0 per cent). In original terms, approvals increased in the Northern Territory (+18.7 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (+8.1 per cent) and decreased in Tasmania (-3.7 per cent).
From today, every new home built in Tasmania must meet the full Livable Housing Design requirements. The Housing Industry Association says this adds thousands of dollars to the cost of building a home, at a time when Tasmanians can least afford it.
Changes to Western Australia's requirements for managing the risks of falls will commence on 1 October 2026, introducing new expectations for builders, contractors and workers undertaking tasks where there is a risk of falling.
As of today, 1 October 2026, all new building work in Tasmania, unless exempt, must comply with all requirements of Part H8 Livable Housing Design of NCC Volume Two.
“The ACT’s housing supply pipeline is weakening, with building approvals in the three months to August halving compared with a year earlier,” said HIA Executive Director ACT and Southern NSW, Geordan Murray.