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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationRegulatory changes distort new home sales
Regulatory changes distort new home sales
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The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.
“The changes to the NCC 2022 came into effect in Victoria and Queensland for any new home building contract signed from 1 May 2024,” added Mr Reardon.
“These two states have seen a decline in sales in the month of May as a result of the pull-forward in April to get ahead of the cost increases due to NCC 2022.
“This was a repeat of the experience of New South Wales in September when it introduced its energy efficiency standards. Sales in the months thereafter fell as a result of this pull-forward.
“The draw forward in sales distorts the new home sales dataset, which makes it difficult to ascertain the market trends.
“The increase in the cost of construction driven by increased regulatory requirements, and higher interest rates, will further impede the goal of increasing the supply of housing and place more pressure on public housing requirements.
“If governments want to increase the supply of homes, they need to, at the very least, stop making new homes more expensive.
“Lowering the cost of delivering new homes to market is essential to achieving the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million new homes over the next five years, and improving housing affordability across the country,” concluded Mr Reardon.
Sales in the month of May increased by 15.1 per cent in New South Wales, followed by Western Australia (+14.6 per cent) and South Australia (+3.2 per cent). The other states recorded monthly declines in sales, led by Victoria (-41.0 per cent) followed by Queensland (-10.3 per cent).
Private New House Sales - Australia (seasonally adjusted)
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Increases to annual minimum wage
The Fair Work Commission handed down its Annual Minimum Wage decision today with a 4.75 per cent increase to the national minimum wage and modern award minimum wages.
Approvals reflect good momentum heading into 2026
“Building approvals ticked down by 3.4 per cent in April, including a 0.9 per cent decline for detached houses and a 7.2 per cent decline for multi-units,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
Wage ruling will increase housing costs and hit small builders hardest
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is deeply concerned with today’s Fair Work Commission decision to increase the Minimum Award Wages by 4.75 per cent, which will make it harder to deliver new homes at the scale Australia urgently needs,” said HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.
NCC 2022 to continue in Tasmania until May 2027
The Tasmanian Parliament has passed the Building Amendment Bill 2026, confirming a revised approach to how the National Construction Code will apply in Tasmania.