Queensland home approvals jump 28% in September
Queensland approved 4,382 new homes in September 2026, up 28.0% on August in seasonally adjusted terms, the ABS reported on 2 November. The ABS named Queensland and New South Wales as the states where total approvals rose, but the detail shows a more mixed picture.
A big monthly jump, with a catch
Approvals for private sector houses in Queensland fell 5.1% to 2,407, as house approvals dropped in every state. With houses down, the lift in the total came from other types of homes, such as units, townhouses and apartments. The ABS trend estimate, which smooths out sharp monthly swings, tells a calmer story: total approvals in Queensland slipped 0.6%, while house approvals edged up 0.4%.
Source: ABS Building Approvals, September 2026. Monthly change, seasonally adjusted unless marked trend. Houses are private sector houses.
| All homes | 28.0% |
| Houses | -5.1% |
| All homes (trend) | -0.6% |
| Houses (trend) | 0.4% |
Key numbers
Queensland's 28.0% rise sat alongside a 37.3% jump in New South Wales, while Victoria fell 28.9%. Monthly approvals for units and apartments often jump around, because one large building can add hundreds of homes in a single month. That is why the trend figure of 4,264 approvals is a better guide to where Queensland's pipeline really sits.
Why it matters for renters
An approval is only the first step. Homes approved today can take a year or more to finish, and some projects never start if costs do not stack up. Units and townhouses matter most for renters, because a large share of rentals and shared homes are in this kind of building. A run of strong months would eventually mean more places to rent across South East Queensland.
The state government has said it is sticking with its target of one million new homes over 20 years, ABC News reported in October. For now, though, the steady trend suggests supply will stay tight in the near term. It follows a similar pattern to the wider data we covered in home approvals rise but units lag.
Practical tips
- Renters: new unit buildings often lease many homes at once, which can bring more choice and some flexibility on price nearby.
- Look at rooms as well as whole homes. A room in an existing home is usually quicker to secure than waiting for new supply.
- Listers: if new buildings are finishing near you, keep your room competitive with good photos, fair pricing and bills spelled out.
- Owners: a spare room adds to rental supply straight away. Our guide to renting out a room in Queensland covers the bond and rent rules.
What it means for you
Renters: September's jump is welcome, but the trend shows approvals are roughly steady, so new rentals in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast are likely to arrive slowly. Shared homes remain one of the fastest ways to find somewhere affordable. Room listers: demand for rooms should stay firm while new supply takes time to build, but renters are comparing options closely, so presentation and fair pricing still decide how fast a room fills.
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- ABS: Building Approvals, September 2026
- ABS: Total dwelling approvals rise 5.1% in September (2 Nov 2026)
- ABC News: Queensland government stands by target to build 1 million homes in 20 years (19 Oct 2026)
Figures are from the sources above at the time of writing. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.