{{ 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 National Conference 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

Housing target depends on faster land supply

Media release

Housing target depends on faster land supply

Media release
“The median price of residential land eased by just 0.4 per cent in the March quarter to $403,570, but remains 8.7 per cent higher than a year earlier, growing more than twice as fast as consumer prices and almost three times faster than wages,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.

The HIA-Cotality Residential Land Report provides updated information on sales activity in 52 housing markets across Australia, including the six state capital cities.

“At the same time the number of residential lots sold declined by 7.6 per cent during the quarter," added Mr Devitt.

“This combination of high land prices and weaker sales tells us that Australia isn't running short of demand for housing, it is running short of serviced, shovel-ready land.

“Australia's ability to build 1.2 million new homes will depend less on stimulating demand for housing than on improving the speed and cost at which residential land can be brought to market.

“Established housing prices have softened in recent months as confidence has weakened, and that is likely to slow new housing commencements during 2027. But this should not be mistaken for the end of Australia's housing shortage.

“Population growth remains strong, new households continue to form and Australia continues to build fewer homes than are needed. As confidence returns, these underlying pressures will once again place upward pressure on housing prices unless we improve the responsiveness of housing supply.

“The Residential Land Report also examines two significant reports released in recent months by the Productivity Commission and the Centre for International Economics.

“Both reports reach the same broad conclusion that HIA has consistently identified through the Residential Land Report. In addition to needing more shovel-ready land, Australia needs a housing supply system that can respond quickly when demand changes.

“The reports identify planning delays, infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory complexity and the cost of bringing land to market as major barriers preventing Australia from building enough homes.

“In this respect, the Federal Government's commitment in the recent Budget to increase investment in enabling infrastructure is most welcome,” concluded Mr Devitt.

Cotality research director, Tim Lawless, noted “the findings of the latest Residential Land Report pre-date the additional uncertainty introduced by the Federal Budget in May, adding another layer of complexity to the housing supply outlook. While the Budget's tax changes may encourage some investors towards vacant land and new housing opportunities, the overall impact on demand remains uncertain.

“With housing market conditions softening through the June quarter, a trend that is likely to persist through at least the second half of the year, some prospective buyers may opt to remain on the sidelines until confidence improves and greater certainty returns to the housing outlook,” concluded Mr Lawless.

Download our latest HIA-Cotality Residential Land Report

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
18 Sep
Minimum tax on discretionary trusts

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) opposes the proposed minimum tax on discretionary trusts and the associated Excluded Election Trust (EET) regime.

18 Sep
Member information: Fuel Surcharges and the Road Transport Order

In April 2026 an order requiring primary and secondary parties in road transport contractual chains to review and adjust transport rates fortnightly to recover increased fuel costs was handed down by the FWC. This requirement switched off automatically in the week ending 5 June 2026, when the weekly average national terminal gate diesel price fell below $2.00 per litre but did not revoke the order. HIA breaks down what this means for your business.

18 Sep
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026

HIA supports fair treatment of young workers and recognises the importance of appropriate superannuation coverage. However, HIA opposes the Bill as drafted due to a number of legal and technical issues, primarily the impact on small business builders. Read more about HIA's submission to the Federal Senate's Economic Legislation Committee here.

18 Sep
National Tradies Day - Tradies will build Tasmanias future

Tasmania's home builders have marked National Tradies Day by putting the case for a trade career to young Tasmanians, saying the trades offer one of the strongest pathways in the state to secure work, real money from day one, and a career that technology is far more likely to help than replace.