The seasonally adjusted number of total dwellings approved in Australia surged 29.7% month-on-month to a near five-year high of 19,022 units in February 2026, reversing a 7.2% drop in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It was the first rise in permits aince November, as approvals for private sector dwellings excluding houses rebounded strongly (101.2% vs -25.0% in January). Meanwhile, permits for private sector houses were subdued (0.2% vs 1.7%). By region, building permits increased in most states, including New South Wales (10.1%), Victoria (85.1%), Queensland (14.7%), South Australia (12.3%), and Western Australia (3.1%). In contrast, Tasmania saw a 27.7% decline. On an annual basis, dwelling approvals expanded 14.0%, reversing a 1.5% drop in January.
