{{ 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

Tasmanian home building outlook brighter than largest states

Media release

Tasmanian home building outlook brighter than largest states

Media release
“The outlook for new home building in Tasmania is brighter than for the larger mainland states to the north,” stated HIA Executive Director, Stuart Collins.

HIA released its Economic and Industry Outlook report recently. The report includes updated forecasts for new home building and renovations activity nationally and for each of the eight states and territories.

“Tasmania commenced construction on 2,220 detached houses in 2023/24, with a modest 1.2 per cent improvement expected in 2024/25, to 2,240,” added Mr Collins.

“While these would represent the two weakest years for the state since 2016/17, it is a less severe trough than the decade lows being experienced in Victoria and New South Wales.

“Tasmania has been receiving record numbers of overseas arrivals, as well as a significant number from the interstate exodus from Melbourne and Sydney during the pandemic.

“Extremely low rental vacancy rates across much of the state will sustain underlying demand for new home building, even as population growth moderates.

“Tight rental markets and the rapid deterioration in housing affordability during the pandemic means there is still a lot of work ahead for policymakers.

“Land shortages in Tasmania have seen residential lot prices surge since the pandemic began, with prices up by around 70 per cent in Hobart, and double across the regions.

There is significant upside potential to the outlook for detached home building if land is fast-tracked and made shovel-ready more rapidly in the coming years.

“Medium density housing development, close to jobs and transport, also needs to do more of the heavy lifting. Commencements of multi-units have been at multi-decade lows recently, with activity currently not expected to gain steam until 2026.

“The removal of policy constraints is critical to supporting this sector. This means abolishing the punitive taxes imposed on the very investors that are so crucial to building higher density housing. These taxes perversely cost tax revenue in terms of lost construction activity, productivity and economic growth.

“Governments must also ensure sufficient infrastructure to accommodate higher density housing and address local resident and Council objections and obstacles to such development.

“There is a clear policy desire for more medium density development, especially in Hobart. The risk is that difficult design guidelines and continued scope for local objections to density may remain as obstacles for the sector.

“The Australian government must streamline visas for in-demand trades so projects can be completed on time and on budget, otherwise projects – especially the larger ones – will struggle to even commence.

“As the situation currently stands, underlying demand would support much greater home building volumes, if policy were to permit it,” concluded Mr Collins.

Detached house: Tasmania commenced construction on 480 detached houses in the first quarter of 2024, down by 10.7 per cent on the previous quarter. This is forecast to bounce back, up by 16.2 per cent to 550 in the June Quarter 2024, producing a financial year total of 2,220 in 2023/24. This is 19.8 per cent down from the previous year, and the weakest year for the sector since 2016/17. An improvement from here is forecast, with a 1.2 per cent increase to 2,240 in 2024/25, accelerating to a peak of 2,620 by 2027/28.

Multi-units: Only nine multi-units commenced construction in Tasmania in the March Quarter 2024, down from 60 in the previous quarter and the weakest quarter in over two decades. This is forecast to bounce back to 60 in the June Quarter 2024, producing a financial year total of 150 in 2023/24. This would be the weakest financial year in over two decades, down by almost 50 per cent on the previous year. A modest improvement is forecast from these lows to 170 in 2024/25, continuing towards 470 by 2027/28.

Click here to purchase our HIA State and National Outlooks

For more information please contact:

Stuart Collins

Executive Director – Tasmania

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
15 Jan
Fee-Free support could harm training sector

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is urging the government to hit pause on the proposed Free TAFE Bill 2024. While the initiative promises to address critical skills shortages, HIA believes the plan needs a comprehensive review before it’s locked into law.

15 Jan
Response to the Inquiry into the Free TAFE Bill 2024

HIA provided a response to the Senate Education and Employment Committees on the inquiry into the Free TAFE Bill 2024.

15 Jan
"Let's Build Australia": Access to super supports home ownership

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Coalition’s announcement allowing first home buyers to access up to $50,000 of their superannuation to purchase a home. This initiative represents a meaningful step towards addressing the significant barriers to home ownership faced by young Australians,” stated HIA Managing Director, Jocelyn Martin.

14 Jan
What to watch out for in 2025

On behalf of all of us at HIA we would like to wish you a very happy 2025! As everyone heads back to work for the new year, we are sharing some exclusive member updates to get you ready for what lies ahead.