{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationBuilding approvals fell 3.1 per cent in March
Building approvals fell 3.1 per cent in March
Member and guest login
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.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
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 March for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“Despite the decline in March and the weak performance in January during the holidays and the Omicron outbreak, detached home approvals for the first three months of 2022 were still 9.0 per cent higher than the equivalent pre-pandemic quarter,” added Mr Devitt.
“This continues to reflect the strong ongoing demand for housing in the first quarter of 2022, albeit at levels below those observed over the past two years.
“Multi-unit approvals declined by 37.7 per cent in March to be down by 9.9 per cent in the last three months compared to the equivalent pre-pandemic quarter.
“Affordability issues, land constraints and a return of overseas migrants, students and tourists will help support demand for units, townhouses and apartments.
“The value of renovations approved also remained elevated, with the last three months sitting 31.5 per cent above the equivalent pre-pandemic quarter.
“The impact of this week’s rise in the cash rate on building approvals could take more than six months to emerge in this data set.
“The shortage of rental accommodation remains the key driver for demand for new homes in this cycle.
“The existing pipeline of work 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 most jurisdictions, including Western Australia (-20.4 per cent), South Australia (-16.2 per cent), Victoria (-7.6 per cent), and Queensland (-4.9 per cent), while New South Wales saw an increase (+1.5 per cent). In original terms, approvals decreased in the Australian Capital Territory (-21.4 per cent) and Tasmania (-7.4 per cent) and increased in the Northern Territory (+122.0 per cent).
For more information please contact:
Housing must not be collateral damage of data centres
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgement today that housing must remain a central consideration as Australia expands its digital infrastructure and data centre capacity.
Update on untitled land contracts and contracts signed before 1 July
This member alert is for members who enter into domestic building contracts entered into before 1 July 2026. It is also important information for members who enter into domestic building contracts with clients with untitled land.
Update on recent HIA advocacy activities
Over the past few weeks HIA has been advocating strongly on behalf of members on a range of policy and regulatory issues that have significant implications for housing supply, business confidence and the capacity of our industry to deliver the homes Australia needs.
Tasmanian builders shouldn't be shut out of housing work over union membership
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has today written to the Tasmanian Government calling for a commitment that state-funded and state-partnered housing work will continue to be awarded on merit, not industrial arrangements, warning new federal procurement rules could shrink the pool of builders able to deliver the homes Tasmania needs.