Building approvals

Australia’s dwelling units approved total 18,318 in September 2026, up 6.7% from 17,174 in August 2026 and down 1.7% from 18,633 in September 2025. Over longer horizons the series is down 1.7% over the year from September 2025 to September 2026, down 6.5% over 5 years from September 2021 to September 2026, and down 8.7% over 10 years from September 2016 to September 2026. That September 2026 figure sits above the long-run median of 13,997, in a series that began in July 1983.

Houses approved in Australia number 11,378 in September 2026, up 0.8% from 11,288 in August 2026 and up 11.6% from 10,193 in September 2025. Dwellings excluding houses approved total 6,940 in September 2026, up 17.9% from 5,886 in August 2026 and down 17.8% from 8,440 in September 2025.

Among the states, New South Wales dwelling units approved total 5,232 in September 2026, down 5.8% over the year from September 2025 to September 2026. Victoria records 3,918, down 29.9% over the year. Queensland records 4,414, up 13.6% over the year. South Australia records 1,708, up 37.1% over the year, and Western Australia records 2,283, up 19.5% over the year.

Tasmania dwelling units approved total 236 in September 2026, down 13.9% over the year. The Northern Territory records 74, down 12.9% over the year, and the Australian Capital Territory records 453, up 397.8% over the year.

There are no revisions in this release. The next Building approvals release is due Tue 1 Dec 2026, 11:30 AEDT. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, CC BY 4.0.

Automated release note. Every figure links to the archived release.