The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.

“HomeBuilder was designed as a short and sharp consumer incentive to shore-up the number of new homes commencing construction in the December and March quarters," said HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.

“HomeBuilder has been successful in providing consumer confidence for those customers that had delayed a major investment decision earlier in the year. 

At a Glance:

• Sales of new homes now 11.8 per cent higher in the seven months since restrictions came into effect
• HomeBuilder has brought buyers into the market that would otherwise not been able to purchase their first home for a number of years
• Results of HomeBuilder have varied across the states WA experiencing 100 per cent growth from same time last year

“The program has also brought buyers into the market that would otherwise not been able to purchase their first home for a number of years. 

“This increase in sales will support the construction of detached homes in the wake of the COVID recession and pull the rest of the economy forward into 2021."

Mr Reardon said the positive impact of HomeBuilder has varied across the states.

“Despite a fall in sales in Western Australia in the month of September, new home sales in the seven months since March are almost 100 per cent higher than at the same time in 2019," said Mr Reardon.

"This should see an increase in new home building to levels last experienced a few years ago, but not back to the boom levels of 2014.

“South Australia is also seeing significant new investment coming into the pipeline and a very strong start to 2021.

“Sales in Victoria were surprisingly strong considering stage 4 restrictions were still in place.

"This result likely reflects contract negotiations that commenced before restrictions came into effect.

“Sales in New South Wales continued their slow and steady rise with a 9.7 per cent increase in the September quarter compared to the June quarter.

"This leaves sales in NSW consistent with levels in 2019."

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Source: HIA

Mr Reardon said with the program ending 31 December, 2020 for eligible sales, there is a very limited window of opportunity for prospective HomeBuilder customers to purchase a new home.

“Delays in the processing of new home loan applications is the most significant constraint to getting these new building projects under construction," said Mr Reardon.

"Processing times for new home loans remains at around 2 months.

“Access to finance for new home construction has become exceptionally tight following new regulations introduced in recent years."

Across the country, new home sales increased by 29.7 per cent in South Australia in September compared to August 2020, followed by Victoria and New South Wales which increased by 16.7 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively.

Sales in Queensland and Western Australia both declined during the month by 4.2 per cent and 11.5 per cent respectively.

Over the seven months to September, sales have increased in Western Australia by 95.7 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Queensland (+7.1 per cent) and New South Wales (+3.3 per cent) have also increased. South Australia has remained steady (+0.5 per cent) over this period while Victoria is still down by 10.8 per cent.

To read more in the HIA New Home Sales Report click here.

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