Dwelling approvals rise in September

Media Release
Released
31/10/2024

The total number of dwellings approved rose 4.4 per cent in September to 14,842, following a 3.9 per cent fall in August, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said: "The rise this month was driven by increases across all dwelling types. Private sector houses reached 9,745 approved in September, to be at the highest level since August 2022".

"Private dwellings excluding houses rose by 4.7 per cent, but remain at subdued levels following a 13.5 per cent fall in August."

Private house approvals mixed across the states

Despite mixed results across the states, private sector house approvals across Australia rose 2.2 per cent, to be 16.7 per cent higher than September 2023.

South Australia recorded the largest increase of the states at 10.3 per cent. Western Australia also continued to rise, approving 1,661 private sector houses, its highest number since May 2021.  

Private dwellings excluding houses rise

Private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 4.7 per cent (4,653 dwellings), to be 12.2 per cent lower than one year ago. 

The September result was driven by a rise in approvals for high-density apartments. There were 1,815 apartments approved in nine or more storey blocks in September, in original terms, compared to 1,201 in August. 

(a) Seasonally adjusted estimates are not published for NT and ACT for all dwelling types. Private sector houses are not published for Tasmania

Non-residential approvals drive rise in value

The value of total building approved rose 1.4 per cent ($13.61 billion), following a 1.1 per cent rise in August. 

The value of approved non-residential building rose 3.6 per cent ($5.57 billion), following an 11.3 per cent August increase.

Total residential building value was flat ($8.04 billion), comprised of a 0.2 per cent rise in the value of new residential building approved ($6.88 billion) and a 1.3 per cent fall in alterations and additions ($1.16 billion), in seasonally adjusted terms.

More information is available in Building Approvals, Australia.

Media notes

  • "Private sector dwellings excluding houses" includes semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses and apartments.
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Media Team on 1300 175 070 or media@abs.gov.au (monitored 8:30am-5pm Canberra time, Monday-Friday).
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