The total number of dwellings approved fell 1.0 per cent in January (seasonally adjusted), after a 10.1 per cent fall in December, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Daniel Rossi, ABS head of construction statistics, said: "Approvals for private houses fell 9.9 per cent in January."
"In trend terms, private sector houses have fallen for four consecutive months."
"Meanwhile, approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses, rose 19.5 per cent in January in seasonally adjusted terms, driven by a rise in apartment approvals in Queensland."
Total dwelling approvals fell in New South Wales (-14.9 per cent), Victoria (-9.8 per cent), and South Australia (-7.2 per cent). Meanwhile, rises were recorded in Queensland (31.8 per cent), Western Australia (11.4 per cent), and Tasmania (5.1 per cent).
Approvals for private sector houses fell in all states: Victoria (-16.7 per cent), New South Wales (-13.1 per cent), Western Australia (-7.3 per cent), Queensland (-1.7 per cent), and South Australia (-0.4 per cent).
The value of total building approved rose 14.7 per cent, following a 6.7 per cent drop in December. The value of total residential building rose 16.1 per cent, comprised of a 19.4 per cent increase in the value of new residential building and a 3.1 per cent fall in alterations and additions.
The value of non-residential building rose 12.4 per cent, after a 10.8 per cent fall in December.
