{{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:
First Home Owners can once again dream big of building a home in Tasmania
With the Tasmanian Liberals announcing today that if re-elected they will reinstate the grant for eligible Tasmanians building their first home to $30,000, there is renewed cause for optimism.
HIA welcomes NSW Budget efforts to support home building
“The NSW Government has announced that it will act as guarantor on up to 50 per cent of approved housing projects to bring forward the commencement of new construction,” stated HIA Executive Director NSW Brad Armitage.
Industry welcomes focus on housing in tomorrow's ACT budget
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the focus on housing in the 2025/26 ACT budget to be handed down tomorrow, according to HIA Executive Director for ACT & Southern NSW, Greg Weller.
Skills funding will help to get more keys in doors (NSW)
"Today's announcement of skills funding in the upcoming budget is welcomed by the housing industry," said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.