11 December 2025
The latest building approvals numbers show a modest increase for new homes in Queensland – but also reveal the state remains more than 10,000 dwellings shy of the annual government target.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for October recorded increases for both detached houses (+1.7 per cent) and units (+3.4 per cent), which contributed to the overall gain of 2.4 per cent.
However, the 12-month total confirms bold action is needed to shift the dial. 39,408 new dwellings were given the green light, still well short of the target of 50,000 set by government to begin to address the housing crisis.
Turning to the regional breakdown, the Gold Coast (+45.6 per cent), Greater Brisbane (+31.9 per cent), and the Sunshine Coast (+1.7 per cent) enjoyed the strongest results across the three-month period, off the back of strong unit approvals.
North Queensland (Townsville) recorded a decline (-6.0 per cent) due to a drop in detached housing approvals. A decline in new unit approvals was behind the sharp plunge for the remaining regions. Far North Queensland experienced the biggest decline (-65.6 per cent), followed by Mackay & Whitsunday (-30.7 per cent), Downs & Western (-30.3 per cent) Wide Bay Burnett (-23.9 per cent), and Central Queensland (-9 per cent).
Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell said industry continued to push for transformative measures in the state government’s response to the Queensland Productivity Commission, due in late January.
“Scrapping Project Trust Accounts must be top of the list. They add cost and complexity without improving payment security – serving as an unnecessary hurdle in the delivery of new homes,” Mr Bidwell said.
“Rolling back changes in NCC 2022 is another urgent priority. Making the energy efficiency and accessibility changes voluntary would save up to $44,000 per home according to our research, helping unlock stalled projects.
“We welcomed some further wins in November – Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) and the Ethical Supplier Mandate are gone, and procurement reforms will cut red tape for small business. The efforts of the new QBCC leadership to modernise its services for industry and consumers are being backed by legislative change. Plus, the ongoing CFMEU Inquiry, and the work of the union’s Administrator, are important steps towards restoring safety, productivity, and community confidence in our industry.
“January is a turning point. The government has more urgent work to do to deliver practical policies that drive housing supply and scrap those holding us back.”
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