Australia Private House Approval Falls in July

Private sector house approvals in Australia rose 3.7% month-on-month to 10,885 units in August 2026, according to preliminary estimates, rebounding from a revised 1.9% decline in July. The increase marked the strongest monthly rise since July 2025, pointing to a renewed improvement in housing approval activity across most states. South Australia recorded the largest increase, with approvals jumping 27.7%, followed by Western Australia (8.6%), Queensland (6.5%), and Victoria (0.5%). New South Wales (-4.5%) was the only major state to record a decline. Approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses slipped 21.4% to 5674 units. On an annual basis, private house approvals rose 18.4% rising sharply from an 8.2% increase in July.

Private sector house approvals in Australia fell 4.2% month-on-month to 10,199 units in July 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and reversing a 0.8% increase in the previous month. This marked the first decline since April, reflecting weaker housing approval activity across all states. South Australia recorded the sharpest drop (-10.7%), followed by Queensland (-5.5%), Victoria (-4.1%), New South Wales (-4.0%), and Western Australia (-0.1%). Meanwhile, approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses slipped 0.4% to 7,119 units, pointing to softer momentum across the broader residential construction sector. On a yearly basis, private house approvals were 6% higher than in July 2025.

Private sector house approvals in Australia fell 4.2% month-on-month to 10,199 units in July 2026, according to preliminary estimates, reversing a 0.4% increase in June. The decline was broad-based across the states, led by South Australia (-10.7%), Queensland (-5.5%), Victoria (-4.1%), New South Wales (-4.0%), and Western Australia (-0.1%). Meanwhile, approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses slipped 0.4% to 7,119 units. On an annual basis, private house approvals rose 6.0%, slowing sharply from a 15.8% increase in June.