Latest News Stream - Building Permits Mom

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.

Building consents for new dwellings in New Zealand fell 7.9% month-over-month in September 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 5.3% rise in August. A total of 3,570 new homes were consented in September, including 1,733 stand-alone houses, 1,305 townhouses, flats, and units, 411 apartments, and 121 retirement village units. In the year ended September 2026, the total number of new homes consented was 41,091, up 17.8% from the year ended September 2025. Stand-alone houses accounted for 19,228 consents, up 20.8%, while multi-unit homes advanced 15.7% to 21,863. Townhouses, flats, and units rose 18% to 17,756, apartments dropped 10.7% to 2,356, and retirement village units surged 43.5% to 1,751. Meanwhile, New Zealand recorded 7.7 new home consents per 1,000 residents in the year ended September 2026.

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.

Canada’s building permits rose 8.8% month-on-month to C$13.6 billion in August 2026, rebounding from a revised 15.8% decline in July and exceeding forecasts for a 2.6% increase. The recovery was led by the residential sector, where permit values rose C$1.1 billion to C$8.5 billion. The increase was driven by the multi-unit component, which climbed C$1.1 billion to C$5.8 billion, while the single-family component edged down C$0.7 million to C$2.6 billion. Meanwhile, the value of non-residential building permits fell C$29.8 million to C$5.1 billion. A C$380.0 million decline in the commercial component, to C$2.2 billion, was largely offset by gains in the industrial component, which rose C$317.3 million to C$1.1 billion, and the institutional component, which increased C$32.9 million to C$1.8 billion. Overall, building permits rose 12.4% year-on-year.

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.

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%).

Canada’s building permits declined 17.3% month-over-month to C$12.2 billion in July, following an 18.5% gain in June and missing forecasts for a 6.4% drop. This marked the steepest decline since August 2023. The value of non-residential building permits fell C$1.9 billion to C$5.0 billion, led by the institutional component, which declined C$1.5 billion to C$1.7 billion, followed by the industrial component, down C$443.3 million to C$795.5 million. Residential construction intentions fell C$701.2 million to C$7.2 billion, with the multi-unit component accounting for most of the decline, falling C$531.8 million to C$4.7 billion. The single-family component declined C$169.4 million to C$2.5 billion.

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.

Building consents for new dwellings in New Zealand fell 4.3% month-on-month in July 2026, following an upwardly revised 3.7% drop in June, marking the fourth decline so far this year. A total of 3,579 new dwellings were consented, including 1,769 stand-alone houses, 1,567 townhouses, flats, and units, 196 apartments, and 47 retirement village units. In the year ended July 2026, the total number of new dwellings consented was 40,908, up 21% from the year ended July 2025. Meanwhile, New Zealand recorded 7.7 new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents, up from 6.4 per 1,000 in the previous year. The record for new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents was 13.4 in the year ended December 1973.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals fell 3.6% month-over-month to 17,687 units in July 2026, less than market expectations for a 4.8% drop and following a revised 6.9% gain in June, according to preliminary estimates. The decrease was driven by a 4.2% slide in approvals for private sector houses to 10,199, along with a 0.4% reduction in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses to 7,119 units. Compared with a year earlier, total dwelling approvals increased 9.0%, with approvals for private sector houses rising 6.0%, while approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses plunged 19.9%. In trend terms, total dwelling approvals rose 0.8% to 18,365 units. Across the states, total dwelling approvals dipped in Queensland (-13.9%), New South Wales (-8.1%), and Western Australia (-0.3%), but increased in Tasmania (15.2%), Victoria (9.7%), and South Australia (5.9%).

Canada’s building permits rose 18.5% month-over-month to C$14.9 billion in June 2026, rebounding sharply from a 1.7% decline in May and far exceeding forecasts for a 0.8% increase. This marks the highest reading in over two years. The value of non-residential building permits increased by C$1.8 billion to C$6.8 billion, led by the institutional component, which rose C$1.5 billion to C$3.2 billion. Industrial and commercial permits also increased, by C$268.8 million and C$67.9 million, respectively. Residential construction intentions climbed C$479.7 million, or 6.3%, to C$8.1 billion, driven by multi-unit projects, which rose C$283.7 million to C$5.3 billion, and single-family homes, up C$196 million to C$2.8 billion. In Q2 2026, the total value of building permits increased 3.7% quarter-over-quarter to C$40.4 billion.

Australia's seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals rose 7.2% month-over-month to a four-month high of 18,328 units in June 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and following a 1.6% fall in May. The gain was largely driven by a 17.8% increase in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses to 7,138 units, while approvals for private sector houses rose a modest 0.4% to 10,631. On an annual basis, total dwelling approvals were up 8.9%, reflecting a 15.8% rise in approvals for private sector houses, while approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses declined 1.5%. In trend terms, total dwelling approvals increased 2.0% to 18,449 units. Across the states, approvals climbed in Queensland (33.4%), New South Wales (13.2%), and Western Australia (10.7%), but fell in Tasmania (-22.5%), Victoria (-13.9%), and South Australia (-11.5%).

Building consents for new dwellings in New Zealand dropped 3.6% month-on-month in June 2026, following an upwardly revised 4.9% decline in May, marking the third decline so far this year. A total of 3,741 new dwellings were consented, including 1,658 stand-alone houses, 1,614 townhouses, 132 retirement village units, and 67 apartments. In the year ended June 2026, the total number of new dwellings consented was 40,581, up 19% from the year ended June 2025. Meanwhile, New Zealand recorded 7.6 new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents, up from 6.4 per 1,000 in the previous year. The record number of new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents was 13.4 in the year ended December 1973.

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%).

Canada's building permits fell by 1.7% month-on-month to C$12.4 billion in May 2026, slowing from a decline of 7.6% in the previous month and contrasting with market expectations of a 2.4% increase. The decrease was driven by the non-residential sector, where permit values dropped 6.1% to C$ 4.7 billion, led by a decline in the industrial components by C$341.0 million, while an increase in the commercial component tempered the decline by C$81.4 million. In contrast, the value of residential permits increased 1.2% to C$7.7 billion, as a C$161.9 million increase in multi-unit permits more than offset a C$70.7 million decline in single-family permits. Compared with the same month a year earlier, the total value of building permits was 4.5% lower.

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.

Building consents for new dwellings in New Zealand fell 4.0% month-on-month in May 2026, reversing from an upwardly revised 11.1% jump in April, marking the second decline so far this year and the steepest fall since last December. A total of 3,801 new dwellings were consented, including 1,835 stand-alone houses, 1,718 townhouses, flats, and units, 194 retirement village units, and 54 apartments. In the year ended May 2026, the total number of new dwellings consented was 39,737, up 19% from the year ended May 2025. Meanwhile, New Zealand recorded 7.4 new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents, up from 6.3 per 1,000 in the previous year. The record number of new dwelling consents per 1,000 residents was 13.4 in the year ended December 1973.

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.

Canada’s building permits fell by 7.6% month-on-month to C$12.5 billion in April 2026, reversing a 10.6% increase in the previous month and missing forecasts of a 3.5% decline. The value of non-residential permits dropped 10.5% to C$5.0 billion, led by declines in the institutional (-C$388.2 million) and industrial (-C$323.2 million) components, partly offset by a rise in commercial permits (+C$125.6 million). Residential construction intentions fell 5.5% to C$7.5 billion, mainly due to a decline in multi-family permits (-C$429.7 million), while the value of single-family permits remained virtually unchanged at C$2.7 billion. Despite the monthly decline, the total value of building permits issued in April was 2.7% higher than a year earlier.