{{ 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

Cash rate continues to impede housing supply

Media release

Cash rate continues to impede housing supply

Media release
“Sales of new homes across Australia fell by 4.8 per cent in June, to remain at rock bottom levels. This poor result in June leaves sales in the 2022/23 financial year down by 33.2 per cent compared to the previous year,” 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.

“The rise in the cash rate over the past year has seen a significant decline in the volume of new homes sales. This will result in the least number of new homes commencing construction for more than a decade in 2024,” added Mr Reardon.

“The last year has seen the impact of a 4 per cent increase in the RBA’s cash rate filter through to the new home market, compounding the impact of soaring construction costs across the industry.

“A significant number of existing projects are also being cancelled, as buyers find themselves unable to obtain finance after interest rates and construction costs continued upwards since they signed the contract.

“This lack of new work entering the pipeline will result in fewer projects being commenced, and the volume of work under construction shrinking rapidly from late this year.

“This will occur at the same time that Australia has a pre-existing shortage of housing, and overseas workers and students return to Australia in record numbers.

“Sales in New South Wales have fallen more significantly than other regions, as the higher price of a house and land package means this market is more sensitive to changes in the cost of finance. At the other end of the spectrum, sales in South Australia and Western Australia continue to hold up despite the rise in the cash rate.

“Addressing the shortage of housing requires policymakers to stop increasing the cost of new homes through taxes and regulatory imposts. The more homes are taxed, directly or indirectly, the fewer homes will be built,” concluded Mr Reardon.

Sales of new homes in 2022/23 were down across all large states compared to the previous financial year, led by New South Wales (-56.1 per cent), and followed by Queensland (-38.5 per cent), Victoria (-31.2 per cent), Western Australia (-12.1 per cent) and South Australia (-2.8 per cent).

Private New House Sales - Australia (seasonally adjusted)

Source: HIA New Home Sales Report

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
10 Jan
HIA North Queensland Annual Meeting of Members

HIA is currently seeking nominations for committee positions to help determine the policies and positions that we will promote to government and local councils. Are you interested in getting more involved in the Housing Industry Association in your region? Now is your opportunity.

08 Jan
Further reforms needed to get more keys in doors now

“HIA welcomes the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) now accepting Expressions of Interest for major residential projects to be assessed through a new faster approval pathway. However, more needs to be done to address the housing crisis in NSW“ said Brad Armitage HIA Executive Director NSW.

08 Jan
Federal Government's regional housing boost welcomed

“HIA welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment of $50 million to support increased social housing supply through the construction of enabling infrastructure in Far North Queensland,” HIA Executive Director Peter Fry said today.

07 Jan
New home building activity continues to improve

“Building approvals data reveals the ongoing strengthening in the new home building market and continue to point to a moderate-pace recovery in 2025,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Matt King.