{{ 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
Support & guidance
Ask an expert Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
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
For your business
Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA SafeScan
Apprentices
Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Value for money
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right
Building codes National Construction Code Australian standards 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
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Grow with us
Sign me up Become a member Member benefits Mates rates
Our podcasts
Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter
Our initiatives
HIA Building Women Charitable Foundation GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub
Get involved
Become an award judge Join a committee Meet our members Partner with us
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 2026 Australian Home of the Year
Industry events
Events in the next month Economic outlook HIA Made 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

Record land prices set to impair goal of 1.2 million homes

Media release

Record land prices set to impair goal of 1.2 million homes

Media release
“The price of a lot of residential land reached a new all-time high in the second quarter of the year, driven by acute shortages and rising tax imposts,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt

The HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report provides updated information on sales activity in 52 housing markets across Australia, including the six state capital cities.

“The median price of a residential lot in Australia reached $351,044 in the June Quarter 2024, rising 2.2 per cent in the quarter to be 6.0 per cent higher than at the same time the previous year. This new all-time high was achieved alongside the sale of just 10,788 residential lots in the quarter, one of the weakest quarters of sales of the 21st century,” added Mr Devitt. 

“A rise in the price of land, while the volume of sales is suppressed, indicates that the shortage of shovel ready land is deteriorating further. 

“This weakness of sales alongside record high prices is present across capitals and regional areas.

“In Sydney, the volume of lot sales in the year to June was less than half its decade average. In Melbourne, they were about one-third of its decade average. In both of Australia’s largest capitals, the lack of new supply is sustaining lot prices around record highs.

“Melbourne in particular has struggled more than other capitals to see an improvement in lot sales, with buyer confidence likely impaired by additional taxes imposed on land and housing supply, further adding to costs and restricting supply.

“These taxes include a windfall gains tax applied from July 2023 and a land tax surcharge applied from January 2024.

“In Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the price of greenfield lots of land reached all-time highs in the first half of the year. Brisbane prices are even catching up to Melbourne. These record prices are being reached alongside – at best – unremarkable volumes of lot sales.

“This points to the need to ensure a solid pipeline of shovel-ready land, especially as confidence returns to these markets.

“Policymakers must work to reduce constraints and costs on new home building. This includes measures as set out in the HIA Planning Blueprint consisting of accelerating planning processes and approval times to facilitate increased infill development as well as speeding up the release of greenfield land and increased funding for critical enabling infrastructure to make projects shovel-ready faster.

“Meeting government housing targets and improving housing affordability requires a significant boost to home building. Increasing land costs and uncertainties on industry and households will have the opposite effect,” concluded Mr Devitt.

CoreLogic Economist Kaytlin Ezzy said, “The record high median land prices recorded in the June quarter amid below average sales continues to point towards an ongoing undersupply of land hampering the addition of new housing stock.

“Over the year to June, approximately 176,000 homes were completed nationally. While up by 1.2 per cent year-on-year, this was 8.4 per cent below the decade average and 26.6 per cent below the 240,000 a year needed to meet the Government’s five-year housing target.

“Without a steady flow of shovel-ready land, it’s likely land prices will continue to trend upwards, and dwelling approvals and completions will continue to fall short of target.” 

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
01 Oct
New rules add thousands to the cost of a new home as Tasmania falls years behind on housing

From today, every new home built in Tasmania must meet the full Livable Housing Design requirements. The Housing Industry Association says this adds thousands of dollars to the cost of building a home, at a time when Tasmanians can least afford it.

01 Oct
Rules for managing the risk of falls have changed - are you up to date?

Changes to Western Australia's requirements for managing the risks of falls will commence on 1 October 2026, introducing new expectations for builders, contractors and workers undertaking tasks where there is a risk of falling.

01 Oct
Livable Housing Design: final stage now in force

As of today, 1 October 2026, all new building work in Tasmania, unless exempt, must comply with all requirements of Part H8 Livable Housing Design of NCC Volume Two.

30 Sep
ACT housing approvals slump puts 2030 target under pressure

“The ACT’s housing supply pipeline is weakening, with building approvals in the three months to August halving compared with a year earlier,” said HIA Executive Director ACT and Southern NSW, Geordan Murray.