Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 6.1% month-on-month to a seven-month low of 16,953 units in August 2026, matching the flash estimate and deepening from a 1.9% decline in the previous month. It was the fifth time of contraction so far this year, with approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses plummeting (-21.2% vs 0.8% in July) to 5,674 units. In contrast, private-sector house approvals rebounded (3.7%vs -1.9%) to 10,885 units. Across the states, dwelling approvals declined in Queensland (-22.5%), New South Wales (-17.3%) and Tasmania (-1.5%), but increased in South Australia (24.0%), Victoria (8.9%) and Western Australia (3.2%). On a yearly basis, building approvals rose 10.3%, easing slightly from a 10.9% gain in July. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Building Permits MoM in Australia decreased to -6.10 percent in August from -1.90 percent in July of 2026. Building Permits MoM in Australia averaged 0.43 percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 44.30 percent in February of 2026 and a record low of -27.40 percent in January of 2023. 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 October of 2026.

Building Permits MoM in Australia decreased to -6.10 percent in August from -1.90 percent in July of 2026. Building Permits MoM in Australia is expected to be 0.90 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 and 0.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-30 01:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Prel
Aug -6.1% -1.9% -2% -2.0%
2026-10-07 12:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Final
Aug -6.1% -1.9% -6.1% -6.1%
2026-11-02 12:30 AM
Building Permits MoM Prel
Sep -6.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average House Prices 1100.40 1108.60 AUD Thousand Jun 2026
Building Permits 16953.00 18056.00 Units Aug 2026
Building Permits MoM -6.10 -1.90 percent Aug 2026
Building Permits YoY 10.30 10.90 percent Aug 2026
Construction Work Done -2.10 4.30 percent Jun 2026
Cotality Dwelling Prices MoM -1.10 -0.90 percent Sep 2026
Home Loans MoM 60526.80 61705.10 AUD Million Jun 2026
Home Ownership Rate 67.00 66.00 percent Dec 2022
Investment Lending for Homes 37121.10 41323.20 AUD Million Jun 2026
Mortgage Rate 6.21 6.21 Percent Jul 2026
Private House Approvals MoM 3.70 -1.90 percent Aug 2026
Residential Property Prices 8.26 10.30 Percent Jun 2026


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
-6.10 -1.90 44.30 -27.40 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Steep Decline in Australia Building Permits Confirmed
Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 6.1% month-on-month to a seven-month low of 16,953 units in August 2026, matching the flash estimate and deepening from a 1.9% decline in the previous month. It was the fifth time of contraction so far this year, with approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses plummeting (-21.2% vs 0.8% in July) to 5,674 units. In contrast, private-sector house approvals rebounded (3.7%vs -1.9%) to 10,885 units. Across the states, dwelling approvals declined in Queensland (-22.5%), New South Wales (-17.3%) and Tasmania (-1.5%), but increased in South Australia (24.0%), Victoria (8.9%) and Western Australia (3.2%). On a yearly basis, building approvals rose 10.3%, easing slightly from a 10.9% gain in July.
2026-10-07
Australia Building Permits Fall More Than Expected
Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 6.1% month-on-month to a seven-month low of 16,953 units in August 2026, exceeding market expectations for a 2% drop and following a revised 1.9% decline in July, according to preliminary estimates. The decrease was driven by a 21.2% slide in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses to 5,674 units. Meanwhile, approvals for private sector houses rose 3.7% to 10,885. Compared with a year earlier, total dwelling approvals increased 10.3%, with approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses decreasing 2.1%, while approvals for private sector houses climbed 18.4%. In trend terms, total dwelling approvals declined 0.8% from the previous month to 18,202 units. Across the states, total dwelling approvals plunged month-over-month in Queensland (-22.5%), New South Wales (-17.3%), and Tasmania (-1.5%), but increased in South Australia (24.0%), Victoria (8.9%), and Western Australia (3.2%).
2026-09-30
Australia Building Approvals Confirm 3.6% Drop in July
Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 3.6% month-over-month to 17,687 units in July 2026, reversing a 6.9% increase in June, final estimates showed. The decline was driven by a 4.2% drop in approvals for private sector houses to 10,199 units, while approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses edged down 0.4% to 7,119 units. Compared with a year earlier, total dwelling approvals increased 9.0%, with approvals for private sector houses rising 6.0% and those excluding houses climbing 19.9%. In trend terms, total dwelling approvals rose 0.8% to 18,365 units. Across the states, total dwelling approvals declined in Queensland (-13.9%), New South Wales (-8.1%), and Western Australia (-0.3%), while increasing in Tasmania (15.2%), Victoria (9.7%), and South Australia (5.9%). The value of total residential building fell 4.9% to AUD 11.26 billion, while the value of total non-residential building increased 14.4% to AUD 9.93 billion.
2026-09-08