Dwelling approvals fall in August

The number of dwellings approved fell 1.6 per cent, in seasonally adjusted terms, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. 

Daniel Rossi, Director of Construction Statistics at the ABS, said: "The decline was driven by private sector dwellings excluding houses, which fell 11.0 per cent. Meanwhile, private sector houses rose by 4.8 per cent, following an 8.6 per cent increase in July." 

"The August results indicate increasing demand for detached housing following the relaxation of restrictions in most states and territories. However, approvals for apartments remain weak, at near eight-year lows."

Across the states and territories, dwelling approvals fell in Tasmania (26.2 per cent), New South Wales (14.2 per cent) and South Australia (4.8 per cent). Rises were recorded in Western Australia (33.8 per cent), Queensland (8.1 per cent) and Victoria (1.8 per cent).

Approvals for private sector houses rose in Western Australia (34.9 per cent), Queensland (13.9 per cent) and South Australia (1.4 per cent). Declines were recorded in Victoria (1.0 per cent) and New South Wales (0.3 per cent).

The value of total building approved rose 18.1 per cent in August, in seasonally adjusted terms. The value of non-residential building rose 40.7 per cent. The rise was driven by large public projects in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The value of total residential building also rose in August (4.4 per cent). This was partly driven by an increase in the value of residential alterations and additions (7.0 per cent), rising to the highest level since April 2016.

Further information is available in Building Approvals, Australia (cat no. 8731.0).