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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationApartment construction in NSW collapses under tax burden
Apartment construction in NSW collapses under tax burden
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“The number of apartments starting construction in NSW has fallen back to levels last seen in 2012, when the population of NSW was 1 million people fewer and migration was just one third the volume of 2023," added Mr Reardon.
The ABS this week released its building activity data for the December Quarter 2023. This data provides estimates of the value of building work and number of dwellings commenced, completed and under construction across Australia and its states and territories.
“The more governments tax homes, the fewer homes will be built and the faster rents will increase.
“The Australian government has stated a goal of building 1.2 million new homes. This ambitious target requires all states and territories to work toward this common goal.
“Making homes more expensive is not an effective policy response to achieve a slowing in migration to NSW.
“It will however lead to a more inequitable housing market with renters bearing the highest burden.
“There were only 23,653 multi-units that commenced construction in New South Wales in 2023, following just 21,652 in 2022. These were the two weakest years of apartment commencements since 2012.
“The last two years of multi-units activity in NSW are less than half the 47,757 multi-units the state commenced in 2016.
"NSW introduced additional stamp duty and land tax surcharges on foreign investors from 2017. These taxes are in addition to those taxes, fees and charges imposed on foreign investors by the Australian Government.
“The result was an exodus of foreign investors and a dramatic decline in higher density home building. A similar outcome can be observed across the country, especially in the capital cities, where similar taxes have been imposed.
“Foreign investors are a crucial component to building new housing in Australia, especially the higher density living that is particularly important in periods of rapid migration.
“Foreign investors don’t live in these homes, and they cannot take them overseas and they are penalised if these homes are left vacant.
“The rapid population growth in NSW will not be slowed by increasing the taxes on home building.
“Australian based institutional investors, who received a tax concession in the 2023 Federal Budget to invest in residential housing, are not filling the gap left by the withdrawal of overseas investors.
“At a time of record population growth and acute shortages of housing, NSW needs more of all types of homes with the support of investment from first home buyers, owner occupiers, government housing, domestic and foreign investors,” concluded Mr Reardon.
HIA Stamp Duty Watch Report
Multi-Unit Commencements, moving annual total, NSW
An update on Victorian working from home and buyer protection laws
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On 15 January 2026, penalties for non-compliance were increased under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995, Fair Trading Act 1987, and the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995. The reforms also introduced new offences including undertaking, or engaging others to undertake, unlicensed work.
HIA's position on Australian Standards
HIA advocates for a more transparent, efficient and accountable Australian Standards system. This policy outlines HIA's recommendations for improving the development and enforcement of Australian Standards, and the role of the Australian Building Codes Board in assessing the impact of standards referenced in the National Construction Code.
400,000 more Australians, 50,000 too few homes
“Australia needed to build more than 250,000 homes last year just to keep pace with demand growth and begin reducing the housing shortage and yet we commenced less than 200,000 homes. This is why home prices and rents are rising,” stated Tim Reardon, HIA’s Chief Economist.