{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationApartment surge sets the stage for missing middle era
Apartment surge sets the stage for missing middle era
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Send me exclusive tips, early access to new launches, and special offers. I can change my mind at any time.
By clicking Get started now you agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released its Building Activity data for the March quarter 2026, providing estimates of dwelling commencements, completions and construction activity across Australia.
“There were 1,488 new residential dwellings that commenced construction in the ACT during the March quarter 2026. This was up by 71.8 per cent on the previous quarter, driven almost entirely by a surge in apartment construction,” Mr Murray said.
“While that's an encouraging uplift in commencements, it also highlights the imbalance in the ACT's housing supply.
“Only 209 detached houses commenced construction during the quarter, remaining well below the levels that have historically underpinned housing supply in the Territory.
“For over a decade the ACT Government's housing strategy has sought to diversify the types of homes being delivered. However, in practice we've largely replaced the supply of detached homes with supply of apartments, rather than broadening the mix of housing options.
“There were just 214 semi-detached, row and townhouse dwellings commenced during the March quarter.
“If the ACT is to replace the lost supply of detached housing while achieving greater housing diversity, commencements of these ‘missing middle’ housing types will need to increase substantially.
“We're optimistic that we'll begin to see that emerge during the second half of 2026 as projects approved under the new planning framework will begin entering the supply pipeline.
“The Missing Middle planning reforms have been years in the making and finally took effect on 1 July.
"Together with stamp duty exemptions announced in the recent Budget and the temporary halving of Lease Variation Charges, the missing middle reforms should improve the feasibility of these developments and encourage supply of more diverse housing options.
“The next challenge is ensuring those policy changes translate into homes on the ground.
“Successfully delivering these missing middle homes will be critical to achieving the ACT Government's target of 30,000 new homes by 2030 while providing Canberrans with a broader range of housing choices,” Mr Murray concluded.
For more information please contact:
Industry Pulse survey– 2026/27 Federal Budget
This year’s Federal Budget has seen some of the biggest changes to the Australian taxation system with regard to property investors and construction in decades.
SA falls behind NT in recent red tape reduction
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the recent changes to the workplace health and safety laws in the Northern Territory as a practical step towards reducing red tape and letting builders get on with delivering much needed homes.
Trade apprentices are starting and finishing but more still needed
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has welcomed new National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) figures showing more trade apprentices are completing their qualifications, saying the results are another encouraging sign that Australia's construction workforce pipeline is strengthening.
New Premier urged to back Victorian builders and prioritise housing supply
HIA congratulates Ben Carroll on becoming Victoria's new Premier and looks forward to working constructively with his Government to increase housing supply, support industry confidence and deliver the homes Victorians need.