The total number of dwellings approved rose 7.0 per cent in August, in seasonally adjusted terms, following a 7.4 per cent fall in July, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said: “Approvals for private sector houses rose by 5.8 per cent, following three months of stable movements.”
“Approvals in the more volatile private sector dwellings excluding houses series rose by 9.4 per cent, following a 14.6 per cent fall in July”.
Total dwelling approvals were mixed overall, with rises recorded in Victoria (+22.2 per cent), New South Wales (+12.5 per cent), and Western Australia (+12.3 per cent). Meanwhile, falls were recorded in Queensland (-26.9 per cent), Tasmania (-10.1 per cent), and South Australia (-6.9 per cent).
Approvals for private sector houses rose in all states: Western Australia (+13.0 per cent), Victoria (+9.9 per cent), South Australia (+4.7 per cent), Queensland (+3.1 per cent), and New South Wales (+2.4 per cent).
The value of total building approvals rose 0.5 per cent, following a 16.0 per cent fall in July. The value of total residential building rose 2.3 per cent, comprised of a 3.2 per cent rise in new residential building and a 2.4 per cent decrease in alterations and additions.
The value of non-residential building approved fell 1.5 per cent in August, following a 26.9 per cent decline in July.
