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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.
“This rise in sales follows the second cut to the cash rate in over four years,” added Mr Tapang.
“The monthly increase in new home sales is consistent with demand factors remaining robust, as Australia records low levels of unemployment, strong population growth and rising prices for established homes.
“Across the states, the results have been mixed. This month, New South Wales and Victoria were the only states surveyed to report increased sales volumes, albeit from very depressed levels.
“Sales volumes in New South Wales and Victoria have been exceptionally weak over the past two years. This increase is the first suggestion of an improvement in market conditions in these states.
“New South Wales reached a 20-month high since the pull-forward in new home sales in September 2023, while Victoria reached a 13-month high since its pull-forward in April 2024.
“New home sales in Queensland remained relatively stable in May, following a strong increase in sales recorded in the previous month. This upward trend in the volume of sales in Queensland has been evident for at least the past year.
The volume of sales in South Australia and Western Australia also fell in the month but remain robust. The continuation of a $10,000 incentive for construction workers to relocate to Western Australia will assist to resolve its key constraint, labour capacity.
“Even with further cuts to the cash rate, and a recovery in market confidence, there remains a shortage of housing in Australia due to the regulatory barriers to increasing supply,” concluded Mr Tapang.
New home sales in the three months to May 2025 rose by 19.6 per cent in Western Australia compared to the previous quarterly period. This was followed by Victoria (+16.9 per cent), Queensland (+7.2 per cent) and New South Wales (+3.6 per cent). Over that same period, South Australia recorded a 5.8 per cent decline in sales.
“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.
The Tasmanian election that no-one wanted to have is in full swing, and while the limited campaign period is unlikely to provide the usual platform to promote key policies and reforms, HIA is calling on both major parties to prioritise housing policies given the significant challenges across the state.
“Our dated and complex planning system is littered with speed bumps that could easily be removed”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.
“The Victorian government’s proposal to update home building contract laws to make them fit for use in the 21st century is welcomed by HIA,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.