Australia’s seasonally adjusted dwelling approvals declined by 3.6% month-over-month to 17,687 units in July 2026, a smaller fall than market expectations of a 4.8% drop. This followed a revised 6.9% increase in June, according to preliminary estimates.
The July decrease was led by a 4.2% fall in approvals for private sector houses, down to 10,199 units, and a 0.4% decline in approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses, which edged down to 7,119 units.
On an annual basis, total dwelling approvals were up 9.0%. Approvals for private sector houses rose 6.0% from a year earlier, while approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses slumped 19.9%.
In trend terms, total dwelling approvals increased 0.8% to 18,365 units.
By state, total dwelling approvals fell in Queensland (-13.9%), New South Wales (-8.1%), and Western Australia (-0.3%), but rose in Tasmania (15.2%), Victoria (9.7%), and South Australia (5.9%).
