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The ABS released the Lending to Households and Businesses data for April 2023 today.
“The number of loans issued for the purchase or construction of a new home has fallen to a new low,” added Mr Devitt.
“The last time so few loans were issued for the purchase or construction of a new home was in September 2008, when the GFC caused a contraction in building.
“Lending for the purchase and construction of new homes in the three months to April 2023 was 31.5 per cent lower than at the same time last year.
“There are very long lags in this cycle and the full impact of the RBA’s rate increases are still to fully hit the housing market, let alone the broader economy.
“These low lending numbers reflect a lack of new work entering the pipeline at the same time that population growth is surging.
“There needs to be a structural increase in the number of homes being built across Australia, a fact recently acknowledged by the RBA.” concluded Mr Devitt.
In original terms, the total number of loans for the purchase of construction of new homes in the three months to April 2023 declined in all jurisdictions compared to the same quarter a year earlier, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-67.5 per cent), and followed by New South Wales (-34.9 per cent), South Australia (-32.1 per cent), Tasmania (-31.6 per cent), Western Australia (-31.3 per cent), Victoria (-29.5 per cent), Queensland (-27.4 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-5.1 per cent).
“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.
The Tasmanian election that no-one wanted to have is in full swing, and while the limited campaign period is unlikely to provide the usual platform to promote key policies and reforms, HIA is calling on both major parties to prioritise housing policies given the significant challenges across the state.
“Our dated and complex planning system is littered with speed bumps that could easily be removed”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.
“The Victorian government’s proposal to update home building contract laws to make them fit for use in the 21st century is welcomed by HIA,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.