{{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 locationBuilding approvals strengthen in March quarter
Building approvals strengthen in March quarter
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 March 2025 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“Much of the improvement over the last year has come from multi-unit approvals, which were up by 52.6 per cent on the very low levels a year earlier, while detached approvals are up by a more modest 4.2 per cent,” added Mr Devitt.
“Despite the improving numbers over the last year, building approvals are still running at around 180,000 per year, well short of what is required to commence 1.2 million homes over 5 years.
“It is also important to remember that many recent apartment approvals are likely to be ‘faux’ approvals.
“A change in market conditions have meant that a number of apartment projects that were already approved for construction will need to seek re-approval and comply with the new construction code. The higher cost of construction will further impair sales volumes.
“There are a very large number of apartments approved for construction across capital cities, but only a small number of these will commence construction. Punitive taxes that effectively exclude certain investors from the market add further time and difficulty in finding buyers for new apartments, even after they have been approved.
“Multi-unit activity needs to be twice as large as recent levels for the Australian government to achieve its target of 1.2 million new homes over five years.
“As it stands, the government is set to fall almost 20 per cent short of its own target and a few interest rate cuts from the RBA won’t be sufficient to increase the supply of homes to meet the 1.2 million target,” concluded Mr Devitt.
“Home building approvals in the March quarter 2025, in seasonally adjusted terms, were up by 49.4 per cent in South Australia, followed by Western Australia (+27.3 per cent), New South Wales (+25.8 per cent), Victoria (+22.1 per cent) and Queensland (+0.8 per cent), while Tasmania was down by 12.9 per cent. In original terms, the Northern Territory was up by 81.5 per cent and the Australian Capital Territory was up by 43.8 per cent.
For more information please contact:
Annual Regional Meeting of Members of Victoria Region
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Regional Meeting of Members of the Victoria Region of Housing Industry Association Limited will be held on Monday 16 February 2026 at HIA Cremorne Office – Level 1, 8 Gwynne Street, Cremorne, Victoria, 3121 commencing at 5.00pm.
Buyer Protections Regulations released tick the box consultation
The Victorian government has released today, on the stroke of Christmas for public consultation the draft regulations implementing parts of the Building Legislation Amendment (Buyer Protections) Act.
HIA applauds WA Cook Government’s housing investment in mid-year review
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has congratulated the WA Cook Government on its strong economic management and decisive action to address housing supply challenges through the Mid-Year Budget Review.
Buyer protection reforms – hidden and flawed
“HIA is extremely disappointed with the Victorian government seeking to rush through their flawed buyer protection regulations during summer holidays,” stated HIA Victoria Executive Director, Keith Ryan.