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

Land supply re-emerging as the number one constraint on home building

Media release

Land supply re-emerging as the number one constraint on home building

Media release
“A modest recovery in residential lot sales has pushed up prices again in a number of markets, indicating a shortage of shovel-ready land,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.

The HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report provides updated information on sales activity in 51 housing markets across Australia, including the six state capital cities.

“Residential lot sales picked up across Australia, increasing by 0.9 per cent in the December Quarter to 10,666, to be up by 24.6 per cent over the course of the 2023 calendar year,” added Mr Devitt.

“Activity is stronger in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, where sales volumes recovered to levels consistent with – or greater than – pre-pandemic. This compares to Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart, where sales are still around 15-year lows or lower.

“This is consistent with other work by HIA pointing to a brighter outlook for home building in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, off the back of more affordable land, employment opportunities, and the exodus of residents from the other states and territories.

“What is worrisome is the effect this is having on prices. While lot prices in the weaker Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart markets appear elevated but contained, lot prices in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth pushed up again towards record highs.

“Moreover, even in these stronger markets, sales volumes are still a long way down from pandemic heights.

“The fact that land prices are re-accelerating alongside such a modest recovery in sales volumes, suggests it will not be long before the number one constraint on new home building is, once again, the availability of land.

“State and local governments that do not help bring sufficient shovel-ready land to market – both greenfield and infill – will struggle to do their share of the Australian government’s national target of 1.2 million new homes over the next five years,” concluded Mr Devitt.

CoreLogic Economist Kaytlin Ezzy said, “The uptick in land prices and sales is following similar patterns to the overall housing market, with growth skewed towards the mid-sized capitals and corresponding regional markets.

“The combination of higher interest rates and low land supply has seen new annual dwelling approvals fall 12.8 per cent over the past year. While the government's $1 billion of additional funding for the Housing Support Program, announced on budget night, should help alleviate some of the infrastructure hurdles for land development, it will take some time for this to translate into an increase in land supply and land availability will likely continue to be a major factor hindering growth in overall housing supply.”

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

HIA Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
19 Dec
Victorian Government completes Cabinet reshuffle

The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has completed a Cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of the long serving Treasurer, Tim Pallas.

18 Dec
Funding for crisis housing important to housing mix

“Today’s announcement of a $1 billion investment towards crisis, temporary accommodation and transitional housing forms an important part of the housing mix and recognises the need for targeted measures to support increasing supply of all forms of housing,” stated Jocelyn Martin, HIA Managing Director.

18 Dec
North QLD Annual Regional Meeting of Members

Notice of Annual Regional Meeting of Members of North Queensland Region

18 Dec
SafeWork NSW focusing on mental health in construction

Over the coming months, SafeWork NSW inspectors will be speaking with principal contractors, site supervisors and health and safety representative (HSRs) to ensure they have effective systems in place to manage psychosocial hazards and risks.