The number of new residential dwellings approved for building demonstrates trends in the housing market supply over time.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publication Building Approvals, Australia reports the number of dwellings approved by dwelling type and sector. A dwelling is defined as a self-contained suite of rooms, including cooking and bathing facilities, intended for long-term residential use. The monthly publication presents details of building work approved including construction; alterations and additions; approved non-structural renovation and refurbishment work; and approved installation of integral building features. Construction activity not defined as buildings or dwellings (e.g. roads, bridges, railways, earthworks, etc.) is excluded. From July 1990, data include all approved residential building valued at $10,000 or more and all approved non-residential building valued at $50,000 or more. Estimates in the publication are rounded.

Building Approvals, Australia data are also used in the following dashboard menu options: Building approvals - dwellings approved, Building approvals - Local Government Area and Building approvals - value of buildings.

See ABS – Building Approvals, Australia (https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-approvals-australia) for further information, including in-depth commentary and analysis, in particular the source data Quality Declaration. Source reference Data downloads - time series spreadsheets, tables 20 and 21.