{{ 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 Advertise jobs 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 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 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 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
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 2025 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

House approvals remain at low levels

Media release

House approvals remain at low levels

Media release
“New house building approvals decreased by 1.9 per cent in the month of November,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for November 2023 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.

“The fall in this month’s figures sees approvals in the three months to November lower by 8.0 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year,” added Mr Reardon.

“The low volume of building approvals throughout 2023 will see the volume of homes commencing construction continue to slow this year.

“Other leading indicators of activity in the housing market, such as new home sales and housing finance data, are also consistent with their confirmation of this projected slowdown.

“The rise in the cash rate is the primary cause of this slowdown in approvals.

“A continued fall in the number of new homes approved indicates a slow start to the Australian government’s ambition to build 1.2 million new homes in five years starting mid-2024,” concluded Mr Reardon.

In seasonally adjusted terms, decreases in house approvals in the three months to November compared to the same period in the previous year were led by New South Wales (-16.0 per cent), Victoria (-7.2 per cent), South Australia (-6.6 per cent) and Queensland (-6.0 per cent). Western Australia saw a 5.4 per cent increase over the same period. In original terms, detached approvals in the same period fell in the Northern Territory (-30.5 per cent) and in Tasmania (-21.9 per cent), while the Australian Capital Territory saw an increase (+3.0 per cent).

Building Approvals - Australia

Source: ABS Building approvals

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
08 Oct
Support for local manufacturing critical for delivery of home building targets

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is backing calls for a dedicated energy security and supply plan to support Australia’s building product manufacturing sector, acknowledging their critical importance to our economy and providing the essential products for our homes,” HIA Chief Executive – Industry and Policy, Simon Croft, said today.

07 Oct
Green shoots on clearing EPBC housing backlogs

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the announcement of over 4,600 new homes approved for construction under the national environmental laws, since August this year,” said HIA Chief Executive, Industry and Policy, Simon Croft.

03 Oct
HIA launches inaugural Safety Summit in Newcastle

October marks the beginning of National Safe Work Month – a time for us all to pause, reflect, and reinforce our commitment to creating a safe and healthy workplace for everyone,” said HIA Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion.

02 Oct
Managing psychosocial hazards and risks at work

The Victorian government has introduced changes to OHS regulations that expressly requires employers to identify psychosocial hazards and how they intend to manage the risks to health and safety.