{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationNo justification for a rate rise
No justification for a rate rise
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
The ABS released the Lending to Households and Businesses data for August 2023 today, which provides statistics on housing finance commitments. It also released its monthly building approvals data for the same month for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“Housing and finance data continues to be weighed down by the interest rate increases that the RBA commenced more than a year earlier,” added Mr Devitt.
“In the three months to August 2023 lending for the purchase or construction of a new homes was 30.3 per cent lower than at the same quarter a year earlier.
“Despite a small rise in building approvals in the month of August, building approvals remain 17.5 per cent lower in the latest three months compared to a year earlier. This includes a 15.8 per cent decline in detached houses and a 20.3 per cent decline in multi-units.
“This decline in building activity is in contrast to the low level of unemployment and strong population growth.
“The impact of the RBA’s tightening cycle is not expected to produce a trough in new house commencements until the second half of 2024.
“Any further increases in interest rates will deepen and prolong this trough,” concluded Mr Devitt.
In original terms, the total number of loans for the purchase of construction of new homes in the three months to August 2023 declined in all jurisdictions compared to the same quarterly period a year earlier, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-76.5 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-70.1 per cent), and followed by South Australia (-36.0 per cent), New South Wales (-32.0 per cent), Victoria (-29.1 per cent), Queensland (-28.5 per cent), Tasmania (-27.3 per cent) and Western Australia (-18.9 per cent).
In seasonally adjusted terms, building approvals in the three months to August 2023, compared to the same quarterly period a year earlier, declined in New South Wales (-25.7 per cent), followed by Tasmania (-25.5 per cent), Western Australia (-24.5 per cent), Queensland (-19.8 per cent), South Australia (-9.6 per cent) and Victoria (-8.0 per cent). In original terms, the Northern Territory also declined (-54.1 per cent), while the Australian Capital Territory saw the only increase (+0.3 per cent).
Lending for purchase and construction of a new home
Housing Industry Association National Policy Congress Communique
The Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) National Policy Congress (NPC) met on the Gold Coast on 16 April 2026 for its annual meeting. The NPC comprises elected representatives from regions across Australia, together with the Chairs of HIA’s eight specialist committees.
HIA recognises long standing member with prestigious industry award
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has honoured one of its most respected and long‑standing members, Graham Walker, as the 2026 recipient of the Sir Phillip Lynch Award of Excellence – acknowledging decades of outstanding service to both HIA and the broader residential building industry.
Victorian government announces new Cabinet
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has today announced a new Cabinet following the announcement earlier this week that several long-time MPs will retire from the Ministry and the Parliament at the end of the year.
New Victorian Building Minister must delay building code changes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) congratulates Nick Staikos on his appointment as the new Victorian Minister for Housing and Building and suggests he gets an early win on the board by immediately announcing a delay to the implementation of National Construction Code (NCC) changes due to commence on 1 May 2026.