Australia Confirms Steeper Decline in Building Permits

Australia's seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals rose 7.2% month-over-month to a four-month high of 18,328 units in June 2026, defying market expectations of a 1% decline after a revised 1.6% fall in May, according to preliminary estimates. The increase was driven by a 17.8% rebound in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses to 7,138 units, while approvals for private sector houses edged up 0.4% to 10,631. Compared with a year earlier, total dwelling approvals increased 8.9%, with approvals for private sector houses rising 15.8%, while approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses slipped 1.5%. In trend terms, total dwelling approvals rose 2.0% to 18,449 units. Across the states, total dwelling approvals surged in Queensland (33.4%), New South Wales (13.2%), and Western Australia (10.7%), but declined in Tasmania (-22.5%), Victoria (-13.9%), and South Australia (-11.5%).

Australia's seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 1.1% month-on-month to a four-month low of 17,019 units in May 2026, following a 0.2% decline in the previous month and in line with preliminary estimates. The weakness was driven by a sharp drop in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses, which slumped 10.4% after rising 4.0% in the previous month. By contrast, approvals for private sector houses rebounded 2.8%, reversing April's 0.4% decline. Across the states, approvals decreased in Victoria (-3.0%), Queensland (-8.8%), and Western Australia (-1.3%), while increasing in New South Wales (2.2%), South Australia (10.9%), and Tasmania (4.8%). Compared with a year earlier, total dwelling approvals rose 5.3%, easing sharply from April's 10.9% surge.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 1.1% month-on-month to a four-month low of 17,019 units in May 2026, following a 0.2% decline in the previous month and coming in slightly weaker than market expectations for a 1.0% drop, according to preliminary data. The decline was driven by a sharp fall in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses (-10.4% vs 4.0% in April), while permits for private sector houses rebounded 2.8%, reversing the previous month's 0.4% decline. Across the states, approvals decreased in Victoria (-3.0%), Queensland (-8.8%), and Western Australia (-1.3%), but increased in New South Wales (2.2%), South Australia (10.9%), and Tasmania (4.8%). On an annual basis, total dwelling approvals were 5.3% higher than a year earlier, though the pace of growth eased from 10.9% in April.