Australia building approvals rise to 17,948 homes in September 2026
Dwelling approvals rose 5.1% on the month to 17,948, yet apartment approvals are a fifth below a year ago, so new unit supply for landlords stays tight.
The facts
- Seasonally adjusted, total dwellings approved came to 17,948 in September 2026, up 5.1% on the month; the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the figures on 2 November 2026.
- That total was 0.8% lower than in September 2025.
- Private sector houses fell 5.3% on the month to 10,432, while private sector dwellings excluding houses rose 16.6% to 6,579.
- Over the year, houses were 9.6% higher and dwellings excluding houses 20.5% lower.
- The value of residential building approved fell 2.8% to 11.06 billion Australian dollars; non-residential building rose 45.9% to 7.96 billion.
- The trend estimate for total dwellings approved was 18,705, above the seasonally adjusted figure.
What it means for your money
- More homes are coming, but mostly detached. Apartment approvals are a fifth below a year ago, so unit supply stays tight.
- Fewer new apartments mean fewer competing listings for a landlord, and the rent side of the Glopra pair for Australia already sits at 1,921 US dollars a month against a unit price of 471,613 US dollars.
- For anyone already holding a house there, the 9.6% annual rise in house approvals adds competing new stock in the same segment; and because approved residential value fell 2.8% while the number of dwellings rose 5.1%, the average approved project is smaller in value.
What to watch
- The figure of 17,948 is a monthly estimate; the release also prints a trend estimate of 18,705, which is higher.
- Whether the 20.5% annual drop in apartment approvals reverses is the number that decides unit supply.
- The release carries no annual figure for the value of residential building approved and no commentary quote.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-approvals-australia/latest-release