The ACT has recorded a strong rebound in housing completions and new starts, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, offering a glimmer of hope for the territory’s strained housing supply.
In the December quarter, 1,278 homes were completed, a sharp rise from 958 in the previous quarter and well above the ACT’s quarterly housing target of 1,059 dwellings.
This is the highest number of quarterly completions recorded in the ACT since March 2021, when 1,314 dwellings were completed, reflecting renewed construction momentum.
Housing commencements also increased markedly, jumping from 260 to 717 over the same period.
The figures were welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which noted the improvement as a positive step—but one that must be approached with caution.
Ashlee Berry (pictured), ACT & Capital Region executive director at the Property Council, described the December quarter uplift as encouraging, particularly the increase in commencements which underpin future housing supply.
“It’s good to see activity picking up – particularly commencements, which are critical to building the pipeline of future housing,” Berry said.
“Surpassing the ACT’s quarterly target is a strong result, but one good quarter doesn’t make a trend. We need to keep the momentum going if we’re serious about delivering the homes our community needs.”
Despite the quarterly gains, year-on-year data painted a more concerning picture.
“In the 12 months to December, just 3,292 homes were started across the ACT, down from 3,899 the year before. That’s a year-on-year drop of over 15%—and a clear signal we’re not yet on track to meet longer-term goals,” Berry said.
With housing affordability and supply at the forefront of public debate, the Property Council is urging government and industry stakeholders to view the recent uptick as a launching point rather than a resolution.
“This quarter’s improvement is welcome, but we need to make sure it’s not a blip. A consistent pipeline of housing supply is essential to affordability, economic growth and liveability,” Berry said.
“We need planning settings that unlock land, streamline approvals, and make it more viable to get projects off the ground.”
According to HIA, the ACT continues to face structural challenges in aligning housing policy with delivery targets—particularly around land release and development approvals. While some initiatives show promise, experts argued that more coherent planning and timely execution are critical to meet the region’s growing housing demand.
The Property Council, which recently reported a notable increase in optimism within the property sector, emphasised the need for consistent, long-term gains to support Canberra’s housing market and meet the demands of a growing population.
“This quarter shows what’s possible – now we need to turn a short-term lift into lasting recovery,” Berry added.
