The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia dropped 7.2% month-on-month to a 19-month low of 14,564 units in January 2026, confirming preliminary estimates. This followed a 14.9% decline in the previous month. Approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses continued to drop, though at a slower pace (-24.5% vs -30.7% in December). Meanwhile, permits for private sector houses rose at a slightly softer rate (1.1% vs 1.2%). Regionally, building permits fell in Victoria (-11.0%), South Australia (-9.3%), Queensland (-6.0%) and New South Wales (-5.1%), while increased in Tasmania (14.1%) and Western Australia (13.7%). On an annual basis, dwelling approvals declined 15.7%, the biggest fall since December 2023, reversing a 1.1% rise in the prior month. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Building Permits MoM in Australia decreased by 7.20 percent in January from -14.90 percent in December of 2025. Building Permits MoM in Australia averaged 0.34 percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 29.80 percent in February of 2022 and a record low of -22.30 percent in December of 2017. This page includes a chart with historical data for Australia Dwelling Approvals MoM. Australia Building Permits MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Building Permits MoM in Australia decreased by 7.20 percent in January from -14.90 percent in December of 2025. Building Permits MoM in Australia is expected to be 0.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Building Permits MoM is projected to trend around 0.60 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-03 12:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Prel
Jan -7.2% -14.9% 5.5% 12.0%
2026-03-10 12:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Final
Jan -7.2% -14.9% -7.2% -7.2%
2026-04-01 12:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Prel
Feb -7.2% 4.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average House Prices 1074.70 1046.00 AUD Thousand Dec 2025
Building Permits 14564.00 15693.00 Units Jan 2026
Building Permits MoM -7.20 -14.90 percent Jan 2026
Building Permits YoY -15.70 1.10 percent Jan 2026
Construction Work Done -0.10 0.10 percent Dec 2025
Cotality Dwelling Prices MoM 0.70 0.80 percent Feb 2026
Home Loans MoM 65315.00 59064.90 AUD Million Dec 2025
Home Ownership Rate 66.00 66.20 percent Dec 2020
Investment Lending for Homes 39776.50 33816.00 AUD Million Sep 2025
Mortgage Rate 5.50 5.50 Percent Jan 2026
HIA New Home Sales MoM 4080.00 4857.00 Units Nov 2025
Private House Approvals MoM 1.10 1.20 percent Jan 2026
Residential Property Prices 4.78 4.03 Percent Sep 2025


Australia Building Permits MoM
In Australia, Dwelling Approvals MoM show the monthly change in the number of total dwelling units approved, including building activity carried out on existing buildings.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-7.20 -14.90 29.80 -22.30 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Australia Building Permits Fall 7.2% in February
The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia dropped 7.2% month-on-month to a 19-month low of 14,564 units in January 2026, confirming preliminary estimates. This followed a 14.9% decline in the previous month. Approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses continued to drop, though at a slower pace (-24.5% vs -30.7% in December). Meanwhile, permits for private sector houses rose at a slightly softer rate (1.1% vs 1.2%). Regionally, building permits fell in Victoria (-11.0%), South Australia (-9.3%), Queensland (-6.0%) and New South Wales (-5.1%), while increased in Tasmania (14.1%) and Western Australia (13.7%). On an annual basis, dwelling approvals declined 15.7%, the biggest fall since December 2023, reversing a 1.1% rise in the prior month.
2026-03-10
Australia Building Permits Unexpectedly Fall
The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia declined 7.2% mom to a 19-month low of 14,564 units in January 2026, missing market expectations of a 5.5% growth, flash data showed. The latest result followed a 14.9% slump in the previous month, with approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses remaining weak (-24.5% vs -30.7% in December). At the same time, permits for private sector houses continued to grow (1.1% vs 1.2%). Regionally, building permits fell in New South Wales (-5.1%), Victoria (-11.0%), Queensland (-6.0%), and South Australia (-9.3%). In contrast, Western Australia (13.7%) and Tasmania (14.1%) posted notable gains. On an annual basis, dwelling approvals tumbled 15.7%, reversing a 1.1% rise in December.
2026-03-03
Slump in Australia Building Permits Confirmed
The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia tumbled 14.9% mom to a four-month low of 15,542 units in December 2025, reversing a 13.1% surge in the previous month and matching flash data. The sharp decline was largely driven by a steep fall in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses (-29.8% vs 29.6% in November), due to ongoing weakness in higher-density construction. Meanwhile, approvals for private sector houses slowed (0.4% vs 0.8%), pointing to softer momentum in detached housing activity. Regionally, building permits fell in Victoria (-32.2%), Queensland (-16.3%), New South Wales (-14.3%), Western Australia (-1.9%), and South Australia (-0.8%). In contrast, Tasmania posted a notable increase of 11.3%. On an annual basis, dwelling approvals rose 0.4%, slowing sharply from 19.4% surge in November, highlighting that the earlier upturn in permits is losing steam.
2026-02-10