Victoria has had the largest growth in non-residential building approvals of all Australian mainland states, according to the latest information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Some $900 million worth of non-residential buildings were approved (seasonally adjusted) in February, which was $40 million more than the previous month and a staggering $374 million greater than a year earlier.


Source: ABS 8731.0

In trend terms, non-residential construction approvals have climbed in each of the last 12 months, providing optimistic signs for commercial head contractors and subcontractors on the hunt for new projects.

“We are now seeing a consistent trend that paints a positive picture for future non-residential building activity in Victoria,” said Radley de Silva, Chief Executive at Master Builders.

“The growth in approvals is larger here than any other mainland state, both in comparison to the preceding month as well as last year.

“Victorian approvals are gathering pace at a rate other states will be envious of.”


Source: ABS 8731.0

The value of non-residential approvals in Victoria was boosted by 4.7 per cent against January and 71.1 per cent up compared to the same month last year. In comparison, approvals in New South Wales fell 0.5 per cent for the month and dropped 4.3 per cent in Western Australia.

Almost $1.8 billion worth of non-residential building works have been approved across the state in the first two months of the year, compared to $1.1 billion for the corresponding time last year.

“The rise in building approvals is the equivalent of building both stages of the Melbourne Park redevelopment project or the massive new hospital project in Bendigo,” Mr de Silva said.

“We are talking about a rise in approvals that will significantly boost investment in commercial construction, support new jobs and generate large volumes of new activity.”