Building approvals may be rising, but that doesn’t mean new homes will be delivered anytime soon, with the average time to build a house blowing out.

Construction time for an average home has increased by 50% in the past decade. Ten years ago, it took 8.5 months from approval to completion; in 2024, it took 12.7 months, according to the Institute of Public Affairs. Building material costs have increased by 53% during the same period.

Western Australia has the slowest house-building times, up 85% over the decade to 17.8 months. South Australia takes 15.8 months, New South Wales, 12.7 months, Tasmania, 12.6 months, Victoria, 11.3 months and Queensland, 10.2 months. IPA research director Morgan Begg says it’s little wonder Australia is experiencing a housing crisis, with unprecedented demand for housing exacerbated by increased construction time and costs.

“Across the board, the latest figures reinforce the depth of Australia’s housing crisis, brought about by out-of-control migration intakes, a construction sector burdened by red tape, and competition for resources from large, expensive, and inefficient taxpayer-funded projects.”