{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ 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
Support & guidance
Ask an expert Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services Australian Standards
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
For your business
Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions HIA SafeScan
Apprentices
Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Value for money
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right
Building codes National Construction Code Australian standards 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 Communication for 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
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Grow with us
Sign me up Become a member Member benefits Mates rates
Our podcasts
Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter
Our initiatives
HIA Building Women Charitable Foundation GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub
Get involved
Become an award judge Join a committee Meet our members Partner with us
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 2026 Australian Home of the Year
Industry events
Events in the next month Economic outlook HIA Made 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

Tasmania at Bottom of National Housing Scorecard as Supply Crisis Deepens

Media release

Tasmania at Bottom of National Housing Scorecard as Supply Crisis Deepens

Media release
Tasmania has ranked last in the national HIA Housing Scorecard released today, underscoring a persistent failure to deliver enough new homes to meet current and future housing demand.

The Autumn 2026 Scorecard shows that overall residential construction in Tasmania remains below long term averages. While there are early signs of stabilisation in detached housing, activity remains fragile and uneven, and the state continues to lag every other jurisdiction.

“Tasmania’s bottom ranking is not a shock, but it is deeply concerning,” said Benjamin Price, Executive Director Tasmania at HIA.

“This result confirms what builders, buyers and renters already know - we are not building enough homes, and the system is holding back supply.”

The most significant weakness remains in multi unit housing, where approvals, commencements and work underway are all dramatically lower than normal. Activity in this part of the market is now more than forty to sixty per cent below decade averages.

“You simply cannot address housing affordability or rental shortages without delivering more units and apartments,” Mr Price said.

Detached house commencements recorded a modest improvement over the quarter, however approvals remain below historic norms and the pipeline of future work remains thin.

“Any recovery at this stage is tentative,” Mr Price said. “Weak approval numbers today become housing shortages tomorrow.”

Demand for housing in Tasmania has not disappeared. First home buyer lending remains above its long term average, and investor activity has also lifted. However, supply continues to lag behind demand, placing ongoing pressure on prices and rents.

At the same time, Tasmania is the only state where overseas migration remains below its decade average, and interstate migration is showing signs of shifting into net outflow.

“Housing supply underpins population growth and workforce availability,” Mr Price said.

“If people cannot find a home, or cannot afford one, Tasmania will struggle to attract workers and retain local families.”

Mr Price said the latest Scorecard result should act as a clear warning to governments.

“This is not just an interest rate issue – it is a structural supply problem,” he said.

“Without decisive action, Tasmania risks locking in chronic housing shortfalls for years to come.”

HIA is calling for faster and more predictable planning approvals, a stronger pipeline of build ready land, reforms to enable multi unit and medium density housing, lower regulatory and compliance costs, and better coordination between housing, infrastructure and population planning.

“You do not fix housing affordability by talking about it,” Mr Price said. “You fix it by building more homes, and right now Tasmania is not doing that at the scale required.”

Download lastest HIA Housing Scorecard Report

For more information please contact:

Benjamin Price

Executive Director - Tasmania
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
12 Oct
Come walk a day in the shoes of small business

Before introducing another tax, another reporting requirement, another compliance obligation or another cost increase, HIA is calling on government ministers and policymakers to spend a day in the shoes of a small business owner.

12 Oct
Tradies teaching tradies key to growing Australia's construction workforce

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed the Australian Government's $5 million pilot investment to support experienced tradespeople to become vocational education and training (VET) teachers, saying it addresses a longstanding challenge facing the construction training system.

12 Oct
Implementing carpentry registration and licensing Consultation Paper

Imposing registration and licensing on trades represents a significant impost, further degrading the capacity to deliver homes and other domestic building work. This submission, therefore, is not limited to responding to the Consultation Paper, rather, it addresses more broadly the significant risks that imposing registration and licensing on trades will have on the sector.

09 Oct
Government delays ATO credit card payment changes

The Federal Government has announced that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will continue to accept credit card payments for tax liabilities until the end of the 2026-27 financial year, delaying changes that were previously due to take effect on 1 December.