{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationDwelling approvals hit 22-month high
Dwelling approvals hit 22-month high
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for October 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“Total dwelling approvals have risen by 4.2 per cent compared to the previous month, which confirms the rise in home building activity expected in 2025,” added Mr Tapang.
“Detached house approvals in the three months to October 2024 have increased by 8.7 per cent compared to the same time in the previous year.
“It has been more than a year since the RBA last raised interest rates. Unchanged interest rate settings has provided some degree of certainty for consumers.
“Households are returning to new home building despite there being no cut to the cash rate. This is because unemployment remains at very low levels, while housing demand remains very strong.
“Prices of home building materials have also been growing at a more normal pace, the latest data showing a 1.4 per cent annual increase in September 2024.
“Low unemployment, unchanged interest rates, stable growth in materials prices and a return to normal build times are helping lift up the market from its recent trough.
“Multi-unit approvals rose by 22.4 per cent in the month of October to 6,130. Approvals for multi-units have been bumpy and trending at decade-low levels amid challenges with capacity.
“This leaves multi-unit approvals in the three months to October to 15,750, which is 1.2 per cent higher compared to the same time in the previous year.
“Multi-units would need to pick up more strongly in order to achieve the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million homes over five years,” concluded Mr Tapang.
Detached house approvals in the three months to October 2024 rose by 42.0 per cent in Western Australia compared to the same time in the previous year. This was followed by South Australia (+22.3 per cent) and Queensland (+13.6 per cent). The other states and territories recorded declines over the same period, led by the Australian Capital Territory (-13.3 per cent), followed by Tasmania (-11.7 per cent), the Northern Territory (-5.9 per cent), New South Wales (-4.3 per cent), while Victoria remained relatively unchanged (-0.4 per cent).
Multi-unit approvals in the three months to October 2024 doubled in Western Australia (+109.7 per cent) compared to the previous year. This was followed by Queensland (+33.9 per cent), the Northern Territory (+21.4 per cent) and Victoria (+4.0 per cent). Declines were recorded in Tasmania (-78.6 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (-76.5 per cent), New South Wales (-8.5 per cent) and South Australia (-1.2 per cent).
Residential approvals - House and Units
For more information please contact:
Detached house approvals picking up
“There were 9,490 detached homes approved in the month of April 2025, up by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous month,” stated HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang.
State Budget is a missed opportunity to stimulate housing
The Treasurer has handed down the 2025/26 Tasmanian Budget. The Budget focuses on alleviating cost of living pressures, health, education and infrastructure, while mapping out a path to a fiscal balance surplus in 2032/2033.
HIA supports bipartisan approach to planning reform NSW
“The NSW planning system has failed to deliver the number of homes we desperately need and we fully support removing the politics from housing, to address this growing crisis,” said Brad Armitage, HIA Executive Director NSW.
Opposition pledge to remove stamp duty for first home buyers welcomed (Vic)
The Victorian Opposition’s announcement that it would remove stamp duty for first-home buyers spending up to $1 million on a new or existing home if elected at next year’s state election, is a positive step towards improving home affordability,” says Steven Wojtkiw, HIA Victoria Deputy Executive Director.