Australia Confirms Steeper Decline in Building Permits

2026-07-08 01:45 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

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.



News Stream
Recovery in Australia Building Permits Confirmed
Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals rose 5.1% month-on-month to 17,948 units in September 2026, matching flash estimates and rebounding from a 5.2% decline in August. It marked the first increase in three months, driven by a strong upturn in private-sector dwellings excluding houses, which surged 16.6% to 6,579 units after plunging 21.7% previously. In contrast, private-sector house approvals fell 5.3% to 10,432 units, reversing a 5.4% increase in August. Across states and territories, approvals rose sharply in New South Wales (37.3%) and Queensland (28.0%), but declined in Victoria (-28.9%), Tasmania (-25.7%), Western Australia (-8.7%), and South Australia (-3.2%). Annually, total dwelling approvals slipped 0.8%, swinging from August’s 12.1% increase.
2026-11-09
Australia Building Permits Rise for 1st Time in 3 Months
Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals increased 5.1% month-on-month to 17,948 units in September 2026, rebounding from a revised 5.2% drop in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It was the first expansion since June, with approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses rebounding sharply (16.6% vs -21.7% in August) to 6,579 units. In contrast, private-sector house approvals fell (-5.3% vs. 5.4%) to 10,432 units. Across the states, dwelling approvals rose in New South Wales (37.3%) and Queensland (28.0%), while declining in Victoria (-28.9%), Tasmania (-25.7%), Western Australia (-8.7%), and South Australia (-3.2%). On a yearly basis, building approvals fell 0.8%, reversing an upwardly revised 12.1% jump in August.
2026-11-02
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