{{ 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

Interest rate hikes hit home lending

Media release

Interest rate hikes hit home lending

Media release
“Loans for the construction or purchase of new houses fell by 4.0 per cent in July, highlighting the impact of the recent increases in the RBA’s cash rate,” stated HIA Economist, Tom Devitt.

The ABS released the Lending to Households and Businesses data for July 2022 today. The data provides sobering statistics on housing finance commitments.

“The rise in the cost of borrowing is compounding the impact of the rapid increase in the cost of building a new home that occurred due to the constraints on global supply chains,” added Mr Devitt.

“Declines were seen across all segments of the market, led by investors.

“The value of loans to investors fell by 11.2 per cent to their weakest month in over a year. This was followed by a 9.5 per cent decline for first home buyers, to their lowest level in over two years, and a 6.3 per cent decline for other owner occupiers. There was also a 3.3 per cent decline in lending for renovations.

“These declines in home lending are consistent with other leading indicators.

“New home sales across Australia declined by 13.1 per cent in July, following even earlier reports from the industry of a slowing in the number of groups visiting display sites. This will see weaker sales volumes in the second half of 2022.

“If these trends are sustained, which is expected, then the 1.75 per cent increase in the cash rate so far will have brought this pandemic building boom to an end.

“There remains a significant volume of work under construction and approved-but-not-yet-commenced that will provide a buffer for the industry and ensure building activity and demand for skilled trades remains exceptionally strong through the rest of 2022 and into 2023.

“There is a risk that this volume of ongoing work will obscure the adverse impact of rising interest rates,” concluded Mr Devitt.

 

Housing Loans, by Market Segment, $M

Source: ABS Housing Finance

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
12 Mar
Taxes and regulatory costs continue to damage Victorian housing affordability

Today, HIA has released a report commissioned from the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on Taxation of the Housing Sector. This Report is an update to the work undertaken in 2019.

12 Mar
House and ‘tax’ package

Today, HIA released its Taxation of the Housing Sector (2025) Report, which is an update on the 2019 Report.

12 Mar
Housing taxation doubles in just 5 years

Today, HIA has released a report commissioned from the Centre for International Economics (CIE) on Taxation of the Housing Sector.

11 Mar
Off-the-Plan Contracts and Obsolete Restrictive Covenants

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) takes this opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper (Paper) on the review of Contracts and Covenants released by the Office of Registrar General on 22 January 2025. The Paper explores potential reforms to laws governing off-the-plan contracts and covenants.