Construction of new homes set to drop by nearly half, says HIA
Experts are bracing for a massive drop in activity in the housing sector, with construction of new dwellings expected to fall nationally by 43%, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
This would put the number of new homes being worked on next financial year at 112,000 – down from nearly 200,000 in FY19.
In NSW, the shock is predicted to be even greater. The HIA report estimates housing starts will drop by 27.5% this financial year and a further 34% in FY21.
HIA regional director David Bare said the coronavirus pandemic has caused fissures all throughout the residential building industry and recovery is not expected for another two years.
“New South Wales was already in a vulnerable position, with the housing market cooling over the last few years and a significant amount of apartment supply still to come online,” he said.
Travel restrictions currently in place are also a cause for concern, especially in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne where net overseas migration accounts for the majority of population growth.
"The further shock to housing demand from the loss of foreign students, tourists and migrants - who are particularly valuable to the state - is a particularly worrying development,” Bare said.
"The 625,000 overseas students enrolled in Australian education institutions equates to demand for the past two years of apartment construction. It is not clear how many of these left in March or how many will return.”
Shot in the arm necessary for construction
The current crisis has triggered a dramatic response from the Federal Government, but according to the Property Council of Australia, more needs to be done to restore confidence in the building industry.
Today, the industry body released a seven-point plan to incentivise construction. Among the proposals is a ‘New Home Boost’ scheme, a $50,000 grant offered to purchasers of newly built homes.
Chief executive of the Property Council, Ken Morrison said “some big and bold thinking” is necessary to kickstart the economy and a revitalised property market will play an essential role.
“As Australia’s biggest employer which contributes over 13% of GDP, the property industry can be a powerhouse behind economic recovery and growth with the right policy settings and market incentives from the federal, state and territory governments,” he said.
According to the Property Council, the scheme will stimulate the construction of 50,000 new dwellings and create more than 200,000 jobs.
The council also recommends a ‘Welcome to Australia’ migration plan to attract “the skills, people and population growth” the economy needs.
It would involve a major advertising campaign to promote Australia as a safe and healthy country to study and work in, and incentivise permanent migration by temporarily lowering the points system for permanent skilled migration classes.
Policies like these could help soften the impact of the pandemic in the coming years and put the housing construction sector on more solid footing.
Citing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the council says every $1 poured into residential construction generates $3 of activity across the broader economy, making it “one of the most powerful job keepers and job multipliers.”
If you’ve got your eyes on the property market, visit our home loans comparison page for an overview of what’s available
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 18 April 2024
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Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, LVR <80%
interest rate
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Initial monthly repayment5.99% p.a. variable5.90% p.a.Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.
- interest rate
- 5.99% p.a. variable
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- 5.99% p.a. variable
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- 5.90% p.a.
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Express Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <90%
interest rate
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Initial monthly repayment6.01% p.a. variable6.14% p.a.Get fast online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
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Get fast online approval from the award-winning Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan. Multiple offset accounts and redraw available. 100% offset on variable rate loans and partial offset on fixed rate. Flexible repayment options. New home loans only.
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- 6.01% p.a. variable
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- 6.14% p.a.
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Bendigo Bank Express Home Loan
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Flex Home Loan
Fixed, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment5.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years6.37% p.a.Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareFlex Home Loan
Competitive Fixed rate. Multiple offset accounts available. Borrowers can also make extra repayments. Redraw facility available. Simple online application process. 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 5.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years
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- 6.37% p.a.
- interest rate
- 5.99% p.a.
fixed 3 years
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- 6.37% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
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- Fixed
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Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ubank Flex Home Loan
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Discounted Home Value Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR 70-80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.09% p.a. variable6.09% p.a.Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Settlement fee waived on new borrowings from $50,000 (T&Cs apply).
CompareCompareDiscounted Home Value Loan
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Settlement fee waived on new borrowings from $50,000 (T&Cs apply).
- interest rate
- 6.09% p.a. variable
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- 6.09% p.a.
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- 6.09% p.a. variable
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- 6.09% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
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- $0.00
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- $300.00
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- yes - free
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Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment6.14% p.a. variable6.16% p.a.Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- interest rate
- 6.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 6.16% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
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- yes - free
- Redraw facility
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- Offset account
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- Maximum loan to value ratio
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- type of mortgage
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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
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