{{ 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
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions Advertise jobs 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 Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site 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 Maintaining 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 Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people
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 2025 Australian Home of the Year Enter online 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

ACT continues to languish in national housing rankings

Media release

ACT continues to languish in national housing rankings

Media release
“The Australian Capital Territory remains near the bottom of the national housing league table, staying at seventh place in HIA’s latest Housing Scorecard,” stated HIA ACT & Southern NSW Executive Director, Greg Weller.

HIA’s Housing Scorecard benchmarks contemporary levels of activity in each state and territory against long term averages across indicators of home building and renovations activity, lending data and population flows. 

“The ACT currently has the weakest detached housing and renovations markets in the country and sits second last for multi-dwelling approvals.

“The number of new detached houses being approved and commenced has plummeted to its lowest level since before records began half a century ago.

“The ACT and the Northern Territory are the only jurisdictions where the volume of houses under construction is below their respective decade averages. 

“The fortunes of Canberra’s multi-unit market have also taken a tumble. The last year of multi-unit approvals has been the weakest in over 15 years, almost 50 per cent lower than its decade average in the most recent quarter. 

“The result has been a shrinking in the volume of multi-units under construction to its lowest volume in seven years. This is a dramatic turnaround from the significant volumes of apartment building undertaken in the nation’s capital over the last decade-and-a-half. 

“The ACT has seen the most dramatic deterioration in interstate migration flows of any jurisdiction. The most recent quarter reveals a net outflow of over 400 residents, compared to a decade average of nearly zero. 

“Failure to address the structural issues around land costs and regulations means residents could continue leaving the Australian Capital Territory.  

“HIA has welcomed recent changes to the planning system proposed by the ACT Government and believes that the ‘missing middle’ initiative has the potential to see significantly more low rise multi-residential dwellings delivered in the Capital.  

"However, in the absence of broader reform to impediments such as third-party appeals, lease variation charges and approval delays, there is a risk that these potential gains won’t be realised,” concluded Mr Weller.

For more information please contact:

Greg Weller

Executive Director - ACT/Southern NSW
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
04 Jun
North Queensland needs to do its share of home building

“The improvement in home building activity expected across the nation this year is already underway up and down the Queensland coast,” stated HIA Executive Director, Peter Fry.

04 Jun
ACT continues to languish in national housing rankings

“The Australian Capital Territory remains near the bottom of the national housing league table, staying at seventh place in HIA’s latest Housing Scorecard,” stated HIA ACT & Southern NSW Executive Director, Greg Weller.

03 Jun
Land prices accelerated in 2024

“The median price of residential land sold increased by 2.6 per cent nationally in the final quarter of 2024, to a new record high $369,530,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.

03 Jun
Increase to minimum wages from 1 July

The Fair Work Commission handed down its annual minimum wage decision, awarding a 3.5 per cent increase to the national minimum wage and modern award minimum wages.