{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ 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 SafeScan 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 Value for money Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes National Construction Code 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 Communication for 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
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Grow with us Sign me up Become a member Member benefits Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women Charitable Foundation GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Meet our members Partner with us
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 2026 Australian Home of the Year 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

Lending for home building continues to fall under RBA pressure

Media release

Lending for home building continues to fall under RBA pressure

Media release
“In the face of an acute shortage of housing stock, the rise in the cash rate has seen the volume of work entering the pipeline contracting for more than two years,” stated Tim Reardon, HIA Chief Economist

The ABS released the Lending to Households and Businesses data for October 2023 today, which provides statistics on housing finance commitments. 

“Lending for the construction and purchase of new homes in October rose 1.8 per cent compared to the previous month.

“This leaves lending for the construction and purchase of a new home 22.4 per cent lower than at the same time the previous year and at their lowest level since the GFC,” stated Mr Reardon.

“This low volume of lending has been sustained since the start of 2023 and will see new home construction continue to slow through 2024, despite the need to increase the supply of new homes. 

“This poor result was recorded before the rise in the cash rate in November. 

“There is no justification for further rate increases. Leading indicators of activity all show that the rise in the cash rate will cause activity to slow in 2024. 

“The RBA needs to pause on any further rate increases and wait for the full impact of their actions to date to flow through to the wider economy.

“Not only are rising rates making it harder to address the acute shortage of housing stock, but the loss of skilled trades from the building industry will also make a recovery in home building increasingly slow.

“The industry requires stable and reliable economic settings to avoid an ongoing market roller coaster,” concluded Mr Reardon.

In original terms, the total number of loans for the purchase of construction of new homes in the three months to October 2023 declined in all jurisdictions compared to the same quarterly period a year earlier, led by the Northern Territory (-58.2 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-53.6 per cent) and followed by New South Wales (-29.3 per cent), Tasmania (-29.2 per cent), Victoria (-25.9 per cent), Queensland (-20.1 per cent), South Australia (-18.9 per cent) and Western Australia (-1.5 per cent).

Lending for purchase and construction of a new home

Source: ABS

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
10 Jul
Update: contracts signed before 1 July 2026 and optional cover

HIA will continue to update you as we receive further advice and information on the ongoing transition from Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) to the First Resort Home Warranty Scheme (FRHWS).

10 Jul
Six-month lifeline no substitute for permanent fire testing solution

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the decision to extend the lease of CSIRO's North Ryde fire testing facility by six months, saying the announcement provides valuable breathing space but does not resolve the long-term threat to Australia's building product testing capability.

09 Jul
Apartment surge sets the stage for missing middle era

“The strong pipeline of multi-unit dwelling approvals recorded during the second half of 2025 has begun to translate into construction activity,” said Geordan Murray, HIA Executive Director ACT & Southern NSW.

09 Jul
Top end apprentices helping build Australia's housing future

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor and Shadow Minister for Skills and Training Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the HIA Skills Centre in Darwin this week to meet apprentices and discuss the workforce challenges confronting Australia's residential construction industry.