The total number of dwellings approved fell 4.6 per cent in September, in seasonally adjusted terms, following an 8.1 per cent rise in August, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said: “Approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses fell by 5.1 per cent, following a 10.1 per cent rise in August.”
“Approvals for private sector houses dropped 4.6 per cent, following a 7.2 per cent bounce last month.”
Total dwelling approvals were driven down by falls in Western Australia (-11.0 per cent), New South Wales (-10.5 per cent), and Victoria (-8.9 per cent). Rises were recorded in Queensland (+34.6 per cent), Tasmania (+18.3 per cent), and South Australia (+5.1 per cent).
Approvals for private sector houses fell in Western Australia (-12.7 per cent), Victoria (-9.0 per cent), and South Australia (-2.6 per cent). Rises in New South Wales (+1.1 per cent) and Queensland (+0.7 per cent), however, were not enough to offset the overall decrease.
The value of total building approvals fell 4.9 per cent, following a flat result in August. The value of total residential building fell 2.9 per cent, comprised of a 3.6 per cent fall in new residential building and a 0.7 per cent increase in alterations and additions.
The value of non-residential building approved fell 7.2 per cent in September, following a 2.5 per cent decline in August.
