Dwelling approvals decrease in April: Australia

The total number of dwellings approved fell 2.4 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms in April, following a 19.2 per cent fall in March, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Daniel Rossi, ABS Director of Construction Statistics, said: “The fall in the total number of dwellings approved in April was driven by approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses, which fell 6.1 per cent.”

“Approvals for private sector houses stabilised in April, rising 0.5 per cent, following a 3.9 per cent fall in March.”

Across Australia, the number of dwelling approvals fell in New South Wales (-6.8 per cent), Queensland (-4.5 per cent) and Western Australia (-0.3 per cent), in seasonally adjusted terms. Dwelling approvals increased in South Australia (50.3 per cent), Tasmania (10.6 per cent) and Victoria (7.8 per cent).

Approvals for private sector houses rose in South Australia (7.7 per cent) and Queensland (6.2 per cent), but fell in New South Wales (-3.6 per cent), Victoria (-0.9 per cent) and Western Australia (-0.2 per cent).

The value of total building approved fell 12.0 per cent in April. The value of total residential building increased by 4.7 per cent, following a 18.7 per cent fall in March. The rise in total residential building was comprised of a 6.6 per cent rise in alterations and additions and a 4.4 per cent increase in the value of new residential building approved.

The value of non-residential building fell 30.0 per cent, following a 2.7 per cent increase in March. The fall in April follows a strong March result which was the second highest month recorded for non-residential value approved.