Latest News Stream - Private House Approvals

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.

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.

Private house approvals in Australia rose 0.4% month-on-month to 10,631 units in June 2026, confirming preliminary estimates but easing from a 2.4% increase in the previous month. It marked the second consecutive monthly gain, supported by stronger approvals in Queensland (+2.9%), South Australia (+2.8%), and Victoria (+2.2%). In contrast, approvals declined in New South Wales (-0.3%) and Western Australia (-5.4%). Meanwhile, approvals for private-sector dwellings excluding houses surged 17.8% to 7,138 units, pointing to robust activity in higher-density housing. On a yearly basis, private house approvals jumped 15.8%, accelerating from a 13.3% rise in May and marking the strongest growth rate since September 2024.

Private house approvals in Australia rose 0.4% month-on-month to 10,631 units in June 2026, according to preliminary estimates, easing from a downwardly revised 2.4% increase in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive monthly gain, driven by higher approvals in Queensland (2.9%), South Australia (2.8%), and Victoria (2.2%), which more than offset declines in Western Australia (-5.4%) and New South Wales (-0.3%). On an annual basis, private house approvals climbed 15.8%, accelerating from a 13.3% increase in the previous month and marking the strongest annual growth since September 2024.

Private house approvals in Australia rose 2.8% month-on-month to 10,537 units in May 2026, rebounding from a 0.4% decline in the previous month and marking the strongest monthly growth since September 2025. The outcome matched preliminary estimates, driven by higher approvals in Western Australia (9.9%), New South Wales (7.8%), and Victoria (2.2%), which more than offset declines in Queensland (-3.6%) and South Australia (-1.0%). On an annual basis, approvals climbed 13.2%, the fastest pace since September 2024, accelerating from an 8.3% increase in April.

Private house approvals in Australia rose by 2.8% month-over-month to 10,537 units in May 2026, according to preliminary estimates, rebounding from a revised 0.4% decline in the previous month. The latest reading marked the highest since September 2025, driven by higher approvals in Western Australia (9.9%), New South Wales (7.8%), and Victoria (2.2%), which offset declines in Queensland (-3.6%) and South Australia (-1.0%). On an annual basis, private house approvals rose by 13.2% in May, the strongest growth since September 2024, and accelerating from an upwardly revised 8.3% increase in the preceding period.

Private house approvals in Australia fell by 1.0% month-over-month to 10,088 units in April 2026, in line with initial estimates and reversing a 0.5% rise in the previous month. The latest reading also marked the first month of decline since last November. Regionally, private sector house approvals decreased in New South Wales (-13.8%) and Western Australia (-1.2%), while increasing in South Australia (11.4%), Victoria (2.2%), and Queensland (0.9%). On an annual basis, private house approvals rose by 7% in April, marking the softest growth in five months and slowing from a strong 12.4% gain in the preceding period.

Private house approvals in Australia fell by 1.0% month-over-month to 10,088 units in April 2026, slipping from a downwardly revised 0.5% rise in the previous month, preliminary estimates showed. The latest reading also marked the first month of decline since last November. Regionally, private sector house approvals decreased in New South Wales (-13.8%) and Western Australia (-1.2%), while increasing in South Australia (11.4%), Victoria (2.2%), and Queensland (0.9%). On an annual basis, private house approvals rose by 7% in April, marking the softest growth in five months and slowing from an upwardly revised 12.4% surge in the preceding period.

Private house approvals in Australia rose by 0.9% month-on-month to 10,194 units in March 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and easing from a 2% increase in the previous month. This marked the fifth consecutive monthly gain, although it was the softest in the current sequence. Across the region, private sector house approvals increased in New South Wales (+9.5%) and Queensland (+7.2%), while declining in Victoria (-2.5%), South Australia (-6.2%), and Western Australia (-8.6%). On an annual basis, private house approvals climbed 12%, accelerating from a 9.3% increase in the previous month.

Private house approvals in Australia rose by 0.9% month-on-month to 10,194 units in March 2026, easing from an upwardly revised 2% growth in February, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the fifth consecutive monthly gain, although it was the softest in the current sequence. Regionally, private sector house approvals increased in New South Wales (+9.5%) and Queensland (+7.2%), while declining in Victoria (-2.5%), South Australia (-6.2%), and Western Australia (-8.6%). On an annual basis, private house approvals climbed 12%, accelerating from a 9.3% increase in the previous month.

Private house approvals in Australia rose by 0.2% month-on-month to 9,847 units in February, confirming preliminary estimates, following a 1.7% increase in the previous period. This marked the fourth straight monthly gain, albeit the softest in the current sequence. Across the region, private sector houses increased in New South Wales (+13.7%), Victoria (+7.7%), and South Australia (+5.8%). Meanwhile, private house permits declined in Queensland (-13.4%) and Western Australia (-7.1%). On an annual basis, private house approvals rose 6.1%, easing from an 8% increase in January.

Private house approvals in Australia grew 0.2% month-on-month to 9,847 units in February 2026, preliminary estimates showed, following an upwardly revised 1.7% rise in the previous month. This was the fourth consecutive monthly increase, highlighting continued demand for detached housing. Approvals for private sector houses were mixed: New South Wales (13.7%), Victoria (7.7%), and South Australia (5.8%) rose, while Queensland (-13.4%), and Western Australia (-7.1%) fell. On an annual basis, private house approvals increased 6.1% in February, following an upwardly revised 8.0% rise in January.

Private house approvals in Australia rose 1.1% month-on-month to 9,753 units in January 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and following a 1.2% growth in the previous month. This was the third consecutive monthly increase, highlighting continued demand for detached housing. Approvals across states were mixed, with Western Australia (11.5%), New South Wales (1.9%), and Queensland (1.8%) recording increases, while South Australia (-8.9%) and Victoria (-3.8%) saw declines. On an annual basis, private house approvals increased 7.1%, after a 7.5% rise in December.

Private house approvals in Australia increased 1.1% month-on-month to 9,753 units in January 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.2% growth in the previous month, according to a preliminary estimate. The latest result marked a third straight monthly expansion, underscoring steady resilience in detached housing demand. Approvals rose in New South Wales (1.9%), Queensland (1.8%), and Western Australia (11.5%), but declined in Victoria (-3.8%) and South Australia (-8.9%). On an annual basis, private house approvals expanded 7.1%, after a 7.5% increase in December.

Private house approvals in Australia increased 0.4% month-on-month to 9,487 units in December 2025, easing from 0.8% gain in the previous month and in line with preliminary estimates. The latest result marked a second straight monthly increase, albeit at a slower pace, underscoring steady resilience in detached housing demand. Approvals grew in most major states, led by South Australia (1.7%) and Western Australia (1.5%), alongside gains in Queensland (0.9%) and New South Wales (0.3%). In contrast, Victoria recorded a modest decline of 0.9%. On an annual basis, private house approvals rose 5.7%, extending their upward trend but slowing from November’s 3.0% gain. The data show year-on-year growth remains positive, though momentum is beginning to cool.

Private house approvals in Australia rose 0.4% month-on-month to 9,487 units in December 2025, easing from a 0.8% increase in the previous month, according to flash data. Despite the slower pace, the latest reading marked a second consecutive monthly gain, suggesting some resilience in detached housing demand. Approvals increased in most major states, led by South Australia (1.7%) and Western Australia (1.5%), alongside gains in Queensland (0.9%) and New South Wales (0.3%). In contrast, Victoria recorded a modest decline of 0.9%. On an annual basis, private house approvals rose 5.7%, extending their upward trend but moderating from a 3.0% increase in November, indicating that year-on-year growth remains positive even as momentum shows signs of cooling.