{{ 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

New home lending remains weak

Media release

New home lending remains weak

Media release
The ABS released the housing, personal and business lending data for May 2024 today, which provides the latest statistics on housing finance commitments.

“Lending for new home purchase and construction decreased by 3.3 per cent in the month of May,” stated HIA Senior Economist Matt King.

“There were 4,693 loans issued for the purchase and construction of new homes in the month of May in seasonally adjusted terms,” added Mr King.

“This leaves the three-month period to May 2024 with 13,988 loans for new homes, which is 7.9 per cent higher than in the previous quarterly period.

“Lending for new homes in the most recent three-month period to May 2024 is up by 8.8 per cent compared to the same time in the previous year.

“Lending for new homes remains around the lowest levels observed since interest rates began rising, and well below the 20-year average.

“This continued weak result in new home lending does not bode well for the supply and delivery of new homes to market in short to medium term.

“There were 66,818 loans issued for the purchase of established homes in the three months to May 2024 (in seasonally adjusted terms).

“This is up by 6.1 per cent compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Over the last year, lending for established homes has remained stable compared to new home lending.

“Lending to first home buyers continues to remain soft in the face of historic affordability constraints.

“The number of loans issued to first home buyers was down 3.3 per cent in May but was up 7.4 per cent in the three-month period to May 2024.

“All categories of home lending point to ongoing weakness in the new home market.

“Only 172,725 dwellings were completed in the calendar year 2023. With annual demand for housing sitting above 227,000 homes a year, and a resulting shortfall more than 50,000 homes a year, this will add further strain to historically high dwelling prices and rents across the country.

In original terms, the total number of loans issued in the three months to May 2024 for the construction or purchase of new homes rose in Western Australia by 49.0 per cent compared to the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+13.9 per cent), Tasmania (+10.8 per cent), and New South Wales (+4.6 per cent). The other jurisdictions recorded a decline in lending for new homes, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-22.3 per cent), followed by the Northern Territory (-13.1 per cent), Victoria (-2.3 per cent), and South Australia (-1.7 per cent).

Lending for purchase and construction of a new home

Source: ABS Housing Finance

For more information please contact:

Matt King

HIA Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
21 Nov
Future Fund could boost supply of new apartments

“An investment in new home building from the Future Fund would support increasing housing supply and could be used to overcome structural barriers to increasing the supply of new apartments which are vital to addressing Australia’s housing shortages,” stated Jocelyn Martin, HIA Managing Director.

21 Nov
Geraldton hosts First Bricklaying Job Ready Program

HIA is proud to support the first Bricklaying Job Ready program in Geraldton that commenced on 4 November this year. The program has come as the result of hard work and collaboration from Brick & Block careers, Central Regional TAFE and the Western Australian Government.

21 Nov
HIA - Productivity Commission Inquiry into Home Building

20 Nov
Classic Constructions wins Home of the Year

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) in the ACT & Southern NSW has announced the year’s winning homes, kitchens and bathrooms on Saturday 16 November, celebrating exceptional builds across the region.