{{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
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:
HIA supports extension of HomeGrown Territory grants
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the extension of the HomeGrown Territory grants until September 2026, which will support more Territorians into their own home,” said Luis Espinoza, HIA’s Executive Director.
Housing industry welcomes new Albanese cabinet appointments
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the announcement of the new Ministerial cabinet, set out by the Prime Minister today, and in particular the expansion of the housing portfolio to take in the future cities planning and a separate special envoy focused on social housing and homelessness,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
Signs of a pulse in Canberra building approvals
Building approvals for dwellings in Canberra for the year to the end of March have shown some signs that the market may be turning the corner but still remain well below government targets.
Low volume of home building but labour shortages linger
“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.