Decline in in Australia Private House Approvals Confirmed

Private-sector house approvals in Australia fell 5.3% month-on-month to 10,432 units in September 2026, in line with flash estimates. The decline reversed a 5.4% increase in the previous month, as approvals dropped in New South Wales (-1.8%) and Victoria (-0.1%), while rising in Western Australia (1.9%), South Australia (1.8%), and Queensland (0.4%). On a yearly basis, house approvals increased 9.6%, slowing sharply from a 21.2% surge in August.

Private-sector house approvals in Australia dropped 5.3% month-on-month to 10,432 units in September 2026, flash data showed. The latest result came after rising 5.4% in the previous month. Permits declined in New South Wales (-1.8%) and Victoria (-0.1%), while growing in Western Australia (1.9%), South Australia (1.8%), and Queensland (0.4%). On an annual basis, private-sector house approvals rose 9.6%. "The September fall in private-sector house approvals is the largest since August 2025," Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said.

Private sector house approvals in Australia rose 3.7% month-on-month to 10,885 units in August 2026, in line with flash data. The latest result was the strongest monthly rise since July 2025, reversing from a 1.9% decline in the previous month. Permits grew the most in South Australia (27.7%), followed by Western Australia (8.6%), Queensland (6.5%), and Victoria (0.5%). In contrast, approvals in New South Wales fell 4.5%. On an annual basis, private house approvals jumped 18.4%, picking up from an 8.2% increase in July.