{{ 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 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

Major policy reform needed to loosen the shackles on housing supply (NSW)

Media release

Major policy reform needed to loosen the shackles on housing supply (NSW)

Media release
“While new home sales in New South Wales increased in the first month of 2025, overall sales remain very low by historic standards,” stated HIA Executive Director, NSW, Brad Armitage.

The HIA New Home Sales report is a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states and is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.
“While January 2025 produced an encouraging bounce in new home sales - it is a rise off a very low base,” added Mr Armitage.

“New home sales in New South Wales in the three months to January 2025 were up by 17.7 per cent compared to the previous three-month period, however compared with the corresponding three-month period in 2020 they were down 38 per cent.

“Detached house building approvals in New South Wales fell by 4.8 per cent in the 2024 calendar year. Low levels of new home sales and weak approvals do not bode well for housing starts in the states in 2025. 

“On current trajectory, NSW will fall short of its National Housing Accord 5-year target by approximately 124,000 homes. That would be a tragedy to say the least.

“HIA members and the broader industry are ready to deliver the number of homes we need over 2024-2029, but they are constrained by insufficient Greenfield land supply, excessive new home building taxation, a costly and inefficient planning system and poor policy decisions.

“For example, Friday's announcement on stage 2 of the low- to mid-rise policy (dual occupancies around transport and town centres), was a scaling back of what was initially announced. Only 171 sites are earmarked for this kind of development and only up to an 800-metre radius. This is a missed opportunity to build more homes.

“If we don't pull out all stops on the rollout of widespread low- to mid-rise housing, new home building activity and housing affordability will struggle to escape the present quagmire,” concluded Mr Armitage.

For more information please contact:

Brad Armitage

Executive Director – NSW

Matt King

Deputy Executive Director NSW
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
25 Aug
HIA welcomes new HAFF funding for low-density (class 1) projects

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes Housing Australia’s announcement of a new stream of funding under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) facility for well-located, low-density dwellings that are shovel ready.

24 Aug
Queensland building leader Jodie McKenna crowned HIA Building Woman of the Year

Queensland’s home building industry gathered in celebration as the 12th annual HIA Queensland Building Women Awards honoured outstanding achievement, leadership and influence, shining a spotlight on the remarkable contribution women are making to building more homes across the state.

24 Aug
Regional housing must be a top priority for Victoria's next Government

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) will bring together industry leaders, businesses, community representatives and policymakers in Ballarat on Tuesday for a regional housing roundtable focused on the critical role housing will play in supporting the future growth and prosperity of regional Victoria.

21 Aug
Preventing Pipe Failure Starts Below Ground

The HIA has been advised that due to an increase of plumbing audit inspection failures, from the 1st of September, the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) will be further policing non-compliance in the installation of sanitary plumbing and drainage pipework, namely the bedding of sanitary drainage pipes.