{{ 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 rates continue to weigh on new home sales

Media release

Interest rates continue to weigh on new home sales

Media release
“New home sales declined by 15.7 per cent in the three months to September, compared to the previous quarter,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.

The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.

“This data produced the weakest quarter since June 2020, when the national lockdown drove Australia into its first recession in almost 30 years,” added Mr Reardon.

“New home sales fell in the month of September, for the third consecutive month, by a further 4.2 per cent.

“This reflects the increasing weight that the RBA’s tightening cycle is placing on home buyer borrowing capacity.

“The RBA increased the cash rate again in October, and this will further accelerate the decline in new home sales. 

“The RBA’s most acute tightening cycle in almost 30 years is occurring at the same time as the industry is experiencing the fastest increase in home building costs in almost 50 years.

“These compounding forces will see sales continue to slow and the full impact of the rise in the cash rate is yet to emerge.

“This month’s data shows that home building is past the pandemic peak and is now set to experience a long COVID slow down.

“Given the longer-than-usual lags in this building cycle, the RBA’s rate hikes to date will similarly take longer than usual to affect the broader economy.

“Much of the impact of the RBA’s tightening cycle will be obscured until the second half of next year.

“These treacherous lags will force the RBA to wait longer to see the easing in price pressures that it desires. This could result in them weighing too heavily on household finances and jeopardising the housing industry’s future soft landing,” concluded Mr Reardon.

For the three months to September 2022, compared to the previous quarter, most states declined under the weight of interest rates. Victoria led the declines, down by 20.8 per cent, followed by Queensland (-17.0 per cent), New South Wales (-16.3 per cent) and Western Australia (-10.0 per cent). South Australia saw the only increase, up by 6.6 per cent.

 

Private new home sales - Australia (seasonally adjusted)

Source: HIA

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
21 Nov
Future Fund could boost supply of new apartments

“An investment in new home building from the Future Fund would support increasing housing supply and could be used to overcome structural barriers to increasing the supply of new apartments which are vital to addressing Australia’s housing shortages,” stated Jocelyn Martin, HIA Managing Director.

21 Nov
Geraldton hosts First Bricklaying Job Ready Program

HIA is proud to support the first Bricklaying Job Ready program in Geraldton that commenced on 4 November this year. The program has come as the result of hard work and collaboration from Brick & Block careers, Central Regional TAFE and the Western Australian Government.

21 Nov
HIA - Productivity Commission Inquiry into Home Building

20 Nov
Classic Constructions wins Home of the Year

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) in the ACT & Southern NSW has announced the year’s winning homes, kitchens and bathrooms on Saturday 16 November, celebrating exceptional builds across the region.