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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationDetached house approvals hit four-year high
Detached house approvals hit four-year high
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The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for March 2026 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“This brought the total volume of detached homes approved in the March quarter 2026 to 30,590, which is 9.5 per cent higher compared to the previous year,” added Mr Tapang.
“Momentum built up in 2025 from cuts to the cash rate, ongoing population growth and low levels of unemployment are supporting housing activity in Australia.
“Multi-unit approvals moderated from February’s nearly eight-year high of over 9,000 approvals to just 6,990 in the month of March 2026.
“This has seen the volume of multi-unit dwellings approved in the March quarter 2026 to 20,820, which is 5.2 per cent lower compared to the previous year.
“The value of renovation approvals also increased by 0.8 per cent in the month of March 2026, to be 7.0 per cent higher over the last 12 months.
“This data reflects the underlying demand for housing in Australia pitted against land constraints, which is pushing more households into the renovations segment.
“The adverse impact of recent global events and interest rate increases are yet to be observed in housing approvals data.
“Despite this, demand for housing in Australia remains strong off the back of population growth and low levels of unemployment.
“In order to meet that demand and address housing affordability in Australia, governments need to lower taxes and the cost of delivering housing,” concluded Mr Tapang.
In seasonally adjusted terms, Western Australia saw the largest increase in detached house approvals in the March quarter 2026, up by 21.2 per cent compared to the previous year. This was followed by New South Wales (+13.1 per cent), Queensland (+9.5 per cent) and Victoria (+5.6 per cent). South Australia recorded a 3.2 per cent decline. In original terms, detached housing approvals in the Northern Territory fell by 29.0 per cent compared to the previous year, followed by Tasmania’s 1.8 per cent decline. The Australian Capital Territory recorded a 6.3 per cent increase in detached housing approvals over the same period.
Monthly Building Approvals - Australia
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NSW builders remain resilient despite the challenges
“New housing starts from the largest 20 builders in New South Wales remained relatively unchanged in 2025/26, at 12,555,” stated HIA Executive Director NSW, Brad Armitage.
Tasmania's largest builders lift output 44 per cent
"Tasmania's biggest builders put on 44 per cent more homes last year. That's not a small shift," HIA Executive Director Tasmania, Benjamin Price said today.
HIA welcomes the NSW Planning Practice Program
“The Housing Industry Association welcomes the Minns Government’s commitment to upskilling town planners in NSW,” said Brad Armitage, Executive Director NSW.