{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ 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 Advertise jobs HIA SafeScan 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 National Construction Code 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 Communication for 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 Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people
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 2025 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

Approvals increase as market confidence returns

Media release

Approvals increase as market confidence returns

Media release
“Market confidence appears to be returning to the home building market, with an increase in residential building approvals in the month of July,” stated HIA Economist, Maurice Tapang.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for July 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.

“Residential building approvals rose by 10.4 per cent in the month of July 2024, with a 0.3 per cent rise in approvals for detached houses and a 33.7 per cent rise in multi-unit approvals,” added Mr Tapang.

“Nationally, there were 9,350 detached homes approved for construction in July 2024 and 5,440 multi-unit approvals.

“The small increase in detached home approvals is being driven by what appears to be sustained improvements in Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, while New South Wales and Victoria remain more constrained.

“The strong improvement in the number of multi-unit approvals comes off the weakest month for multi-units in 12 years.

“House approvals over the three months to July 2024 were 2.3 per cent higher compared to the previous three-month period, to be 12.6 per cent higher compared to the same time in the previous year.

“Across the capital cities, house approvals in the three months to July rose by 19.8 per cent in Perth compared to the previous three-month period, with Adelaide recording an increase of 13.7 per cent and Brisbane an increase of 10.6 per cent.

“The two largest capital cities recorded more modest increases in house approvals, with Sydney up by 2.8 per cent compared to the previous three-month period and Melbourne up by 2.0 per cent.

“The uplift in home building approvals in those markets outside of Sydney and Melbourne has been driven by strong economic conditions and the relatively lower cost of delivering a new home.

“It has been almost ten months since the last increase in the cash rate. Stable interest rate settings have provided the certainty needed to see a rise in home building confidence.

“Materials price growth and build times for homes have stabilised and returned to normal pre-pandemic levels, which provides certainty with the cost to build.

“Unemployment remains very low, and there are now more people employed in the economy than there were prior to the pandemic.

“There is strong demand for homes and a low level of supply, as evidenced by low rental vacancy rates particularly outside of Australia’s southeastern capitals.

“Policymakers that ease the tax and regulatory burdens on new homes will also help in lowering the cost of delivering a completed home to market,” concluded Mr Tapang.

House approvals over the three months to July 2024 increased by 57.6 per cent in Western Australia compared to the same time in the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+22.1 per cent), Victoria (+8.8 per cent) and South Australia (+4.4 per cent). The other jurisdictions recorded a decline over the same period, led by Tasmania (-19.3 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (-12.4 per cent), the Northern Territory (-8.2 per cent) and New South Wales (-4.7 per cent).

Monthly Building Approvals - Australia

Source: ABS Building approvals

For more information please contact:

Maurice Tapang

Senior Economist

Matt King

Deputy Executive Director NSW
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
10 Apr
Security of payment act changes start 15 April 2026

Last year the Victorian government made changes to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (SOP Act), with some of those changes to start from 15 April 2026.

10 Apr
New HIA report calls for action to unlock Tasmania's housing supply

Outdated subdivision and minimum lot size controls are preventing Tasmania from delivering the homes it needs, according to a new Housing Industry Association report.

10 Apr
Nothing brings satisfaction like a tradie career

“The knowledge that there will be good employment prospects at the completion of training, provides piece of mind for today’s up and coming tradies,” said HIA Executive Director Future Workforce, Mike Hermon.

09 Apr
Outdated lot size rules locking out thousands of new homes

New Housing Industry Association (HIA) analysis shows state and local governments are actively blocking housing supply while publicly committing to fix affordability.