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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.
“Sales of new homes have been increasing since early 2025 and the disruptions of the past two months have not stopped this momentum, with sales for the March quarter 31.9 per cent higher than at the same time last year,” added Mr Reardon.
“This is a strong result given the impact of two rate increases and heightened global uncertainty.
“This likely reflects the strength of the recovery that was underway prior to the increase in rates and the strong growth in established home prices over the past year.
“The growth in sales could partly reflect a growing involvement from first home buyers who are no longer required to take out mortgage insurance, although this data isn’t available through this data set. A jump in sales in New South Wales and Victoria is a welcome sign given their low volume of detached starts.
“More broadly, demand for housing remains strong, supported by strong population growth and low unemployment. These structural drivers continue to underpin activity, even as borrowing costs rise.
“However, the capacity to respond to this demand remains constrained. The rise in the cost of skilled labour and materials is expected to persist through 2026, while access to shovel ready land remains the key limit the number of homes that can be delivered.
“Input costs are also emerging as a renewed risk. More significant is the risk that higher energy costs feed into the production of materials such as steel, bricks and concrete, which would place further upward pressure on construction costs later in 2026." concluded Mr Reardon.
By state, Queensland recorded the largest monthly increase in March, with a 34.3 per cent increase. This was followed by South Australia (+22.5 per cent), Victoria (+19.1 per cent) and New South Wales (+11.8 per cent) with Western Australia the only state to see a decline in new home sales contracts (-0.3 per cent).
Donwload our latest HIA New Home Sales Report
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Queensland Productivity Commission’s inquiry into federal environmental laws which have significant ramifications for the housing sector.
“New home sales increased by 17.0 per cent in the month of March despite the rise in the cash rate and fuel prices,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon.
Australia’s residential building sector will come together later this week at the annual Housing Industry Association (HIA) National Policy Congress, at a pivotal time for the home building industry.
WorkSafe Victoria is continuing its blitz against builders who do not have adequate management and control procedures in place to address the risks of falls from heights.