Building Approvals
ABS Building Approvals
Building Approvals - August 2026
Chart 57
Building Approvals - Houses (Original Data - Number)
The latest figures are broadly above trend, although results vary across states. Momentum is building and underlying trend strength is strong. SA stands out on the upside at 15.7% above trend, while NSW is below trend at 5.0%.
| State | 2Y Trend (% p.a.) |
Current vs Trend | Momentum | % Movement Previous month (Jul 2026 to Aug 2026) |
% Movement Same month last year (Aug 2025 to Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | 2.7% | 15.7% | ↑ | 21.6% | 31.3% |
| QLD | 14.1% | 4.8% | ↑ | 5.4% | 11.2% |
| WA | 12.7% | 4.7% | ↑ | -0.2% | 19.4% |
| VIC | 8.8% | 2.6% | ↑ | -5.9% | 10.5% |
| NSW | 18.0% | -5.0% | ↑ | -18.6% | 16.6% |
Chart 58
Building Approvals - Alterations & Additions (Original Data - Number)
Recent results are tracking unevenly around trend, with variation across states. Momentum is firming, while trend strength remains weak overall. WA stands out on the upside at 29.6% above trend, while SA is below trend at 45.4%.
| State | 2Y Trend (% p.a.) |
Current vs Trend | Momentum | % Movement Previous month (Jul 2026 to Aug 2026) |
% Movement Same month last year (Aug 2025 to Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA | 26.1% | 29.6% | ↓ | 0.0% | 50.0% |
| QLD | -8.1% | 29.0% | ↑ | -28.6% | 100.0% |
| NSW | -13.6% | -15.0% | ↑ | 0.0% | -25.0% |
| VIC | 63.2% | -15.6% | ↑ | -60.0% | 300.0% |
| SA | -6.9% | -45.4% | ↓ | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Chart 59
Building Approvals - Houses (Original Data - $'000)
States are split around trend, although the picture varies across states. Momentum is turning up and trend strength is strong overall. SA stands out on the upside at 8.9% above trend, while NSW is below trend at 5.0%.
| State | 2Y Trend (% p.a.) |
Current vs Trend | Momentum | % Movement Previous month (Jul 2026 to Aug 2026) |
% Movement Same month last year (Aug 2025 to Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | 9.4% | 8.9% | ↑ | 12.9% | 35.5% |
| WA | 22.2% | 5.4% | ↓ | 1.6% | 34.8% |
| QLD | 20.4% | 3.0% | ↑ | 0.4% | 19.1% |
| VIC | 12.1% | -1.3% | ↑ | -9.4% | 12.4% |
| NSW | 21.6% | -5.0% | ↑ | -18.4% | 17.0% |
Chart 60
Building Approvals - Alterations & Additions (Original Data - $'000)
The latest figures show a mixed picture around trend, although results vary across states. Momentum is building and underlying trend strength is strong. SA stands out on the upside at 13.7% above trend, while VIC is below trend at 17.2%.
| State | 2Y Trend (% p.a.) |
Current vs Trend | Momentum | % Movement Previous month (Jul 2026 to Aug 2026) |
% Movement Same month last year (Aug 2025 to Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | 10.5% | 13.7% | ↑ | 10.9% | 34.7% |
| WA | 21.5% | 1.9% | ↑ | -5.9% | 26.7% |
| NSW | 2.5% | -3.1% | ↑ | -8.5% | 0.2% |
| QLD | 43.4% | -4.1% | ↑ | -6.4% | 48.8% |
| VIC | 2.7% | -17.2% | ↓ | -25.0% | -12.4% |
All data sourced from: ABS - Australian Bureau of Statistics.