The total number of dwellings approved fell 8.1 per cent in July, in seasonally adjusted terms, following a 7.9 per cent decrease in June, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said: "The fall in total number of dwellings approved was driven by a decrease in private sector dwellings excluding houses, which fell 15.8 per cent, following a 21.9 per cent fall in June."
"Approvals for private sector houses remained flat, following a 1.0 per cent fall in June."
Total dwelling approvals fell in most states: Victoria (-18.3 per cent), Queensland (-5.5 per cent), Western Australia (-5.2 per cent), New South Wales (-4.7 per cent), and South Australia (-2.6 per cent). Tasmania rose 39.5 per cent after falling 36.6 per cent in June.
Approvals for private sector houses were mixed across the states, with rises in Western Australia (+6.0 per cent) and Queensland (+5.0 per cent). South Australia (-9.1 per cent), Victoria (-4.0 per cent), and New South Wales (-3.0 per cent) fell in July.
The value of total building approvals fell 16.9 per cent, after a 7.2 per cent June increase. The value of total residential building fell 4.4 per cent, comprised of a 5.1 per cent fall in new residential building and a 0.4 per cent decrease in alterations and additions.
The value of non-residential building approved fell 27.8 per cent in July, following a 28.6 per cent increase in June.
