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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationApprovals reflect good momentum heading into 2026
Approvals reflect good momentum heading into 2026
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The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its monthly building approvals data for April 2026 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories.
“The decline in April did not upset the positive underlying trend, with approvals in the three months to April still 12.1 per cent higher than the same quarter a year earlier, including +9.3 per cent for houses and +16.0 per cent for multi-units,” added Mr Devitt.
“The data continues to reflect the good momentum in Australian home building heading into 2026, supported by elevated population growth, low unemployment and last year’s rate cutting cycle.
“The value of alterations and additions approved in the latest three months was also 14.0 per cent greater than the same quarter a year earlier. This reflects the underlying demand for housing in Australia pitted against land constraints, which is pushing more households into the renovations segment.
“Recent headwinds surrounding rising interest rates, Budget announcements and international turmoil are likely to have a more noticeable impact on the data in the second half of the year.
“Interest rates were already on the way up in response to higher-than-expected inflation in the second half of last year.
“Elevated population growth and government spending have kept both inflation and interest rates higher than they otherwise would be, even as households and private sector businesses remain constrained.
“Recent Budget changes will add to market uncertainty and disrupt the momentum that was evident in early this year.
“These issues magnify the importance of the role of governments to reduce the cost of delivering a new home to market.
“Australia is not expected to build enough homes to meet current and future demands.
“Taxes and regulations on home building need to be reduced and skills shortages addressed, if Australia is to meet its housing targets.
“Budget measures to deliver ‘enabling’ infrastructure like transport and utilities will support home building over the medium-to-long term,” concluded Mr Devitt.
In seasonally adjusted terms, Queensland saw the largest increase in new home approvals in the three months to April 2026, compared to the same quarter a year earlier, up by 24.4 per cent. This was followed by Victoria (+13.5 per cent), New South Wales and Western Australia (+9.0 per cent), and Tasmania (+8.0 per cent), while South Australia saw a 1.4 per cent decline. In original terms, the Australian Capital Territory saw a decline of 12.2 per cent, followed by the Northern Territory (-3.3 per cent).
Monthly Building Approvals - Australia
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Regional Victoria must be central to housing solutions ahead of state election
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is calling on all political parties contesting the Victorian election this November to make housing a top priority and to place regional Victoria at the centre of their plans, as builders, industry leaders and political representatives gather in Wodonga for a Regional Housing Roundtable.
NT Budget a boon for new building work
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s decision to extend the HomeGrown Territory grant and FreshStart New Home grant until 30 September 2027 under the 2026/27 Budget.
Victorian policy uncertainty weighs on new home sales
“New home sales in Victoria declined by 27.4 per cent in May, the largest monthly decline of all the large states,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.
Policy uncertainty weighs on new home sales
“This poor result for May reflects a loss of confidence rather than a deterioration in the underlying demand for housing,” stated HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon