{{ 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 Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners
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

Approvals for multi-units dip in July

Media release

Approvals for multi-units dip in July

Media release
“Residential building approvals in July 2023 continue to tread at very low levels, with this month’s decline led by a relatively sharper fall in multi-units,” stated Tom Devitt, HIA Senior Economist.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for July for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.

“Total building approvals decreased by 8.1 per cent in the month of July, which was driven by a 19.9 per cent dip in multi-unit approvals. The decline in approvals for detached houses was far more modest, declining by only a 0.1 per cent in the month,” added Mr Devitt.

“The slower rate of decline for detached house approvals is a welcome development, as it follows a succession of material monthly declines since the interest rate tightening cycle began. 

“Over the three months to July, detached house approvals are 16.2 per cent lower the same three-month period in 2022, while multi-unit approvals are 7.8 per cent lower.

“At these very low levels, monthly building approvals are bound to bounce and present a degree of volatility. It does not yet indicate a material change in market conditions which remain dampened.

“In context of the chronic shortage of housing there is a strong focus on improving the supply of new housing, however efforts to improve supply are yet to appear in the approvals data. The continued supply-demand imbalance has wide-ranging implications not only for the housing market but for the wider economy,” concluded Mr Devitt.

In seasonally adjusted terms, decreases were led by Victoria (-18.3 per cent), followed by Queensland (-5.5 per cent), Western Australia (-5.2 per cent), New South Wales (-4.7 per cent) and South Australia (-2.6 per cent). In original terms, the Northern Territory saw a decline of 26.3 per cent. Tasmania (+47.8 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (+52.6 per cent) saw monthly increases.

Building Approvals - Australia

Source: ABS

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist

Geordan Murray

Executive Director – Future Workforce
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
17 Apr
Easter & ANZAC long weekends | Site security and shutdown tips

As we head into the Easter and ANZAC long weekends, the team at HIA wishes you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved break with your loved ones.

17 Apr
Technical Training Colleges important step to boost tradie numbers

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Coalition to commit $260 million to build a new national network of Australian Technical Colleges to target boosting our industry’s critical trade shortages,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.

16 Apr
Coalition to accelerate approvals to unlock more housing supply

“A key reason why the cost of government fees, charges and taxes has increased by $160,000 over the past five years, is the increased time it takes to gain approval to turn farmland into a residential suburb,” stated HIA’s Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

16 Apr
New home building remains at decade lows

“There were 168,050 new homes that commenced construction in 2024, which remains at its lowest levels in over a decade,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.