1338.1 - New South Wales in Focus, 2008 (Reissue)  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/06/2008  Reissue
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Image: Housing

HOUSING
Housing – Summary Table
Data cubes with detailed statistics available on the Details Page

STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Housing satisfies a fundamental human need for shelter, privacy and security. Having a suitable place to live is a key component of people's identity and wellbeing. Housing also impacts upon the economy with its influence on investment levels, interest rates, building activity and employment. Likewise, home ownership can provide financial benefits to the owner when it represents the accumulation of an asset.

Housing costs as a proportion of gross household income

For recent home buyers in Sydney - those who purchased in the last three years - housing costs as a proportion of their gross household income was 27% in 2005-06, compared with 23% in 1999-00. On average, first home buyers in Sydney were paying 29% of their gross household income on housing costs in 2005-06.

The housing costs of Sydney private renters as a proportion of their gross household income has remained relatively steady up to 2005-06 (21%).

Housing costs as a proportion of gross household income(a)(b), Sydney

Graph: Housing costs as a proportion of gross household income(a)(b), Sydney



Housing finance commitments

Housing market demand can be reflected in the value of housing finance commitments (i.e mortgages). Since 1999-00, the value of finance commitments for owner occupier households in NSW has grown at a relatively steady rate. The value of investor dwelling commitments grew more rapidly to a peak in 2003, representing over 50% of the value of commitments, then declined to 2006-07 (40% of commitments).

Housing finance commitments(a), NSW: Original
Graph: Housing finance commitments(a), NSW: Original


The combined value of housing finance commitments (owner occupiers and investors) rose to a peak in 2003-04, followed by a brief decline and slower growth since. This reflects the pattern of movement in the established house price index in Sydney.

House price index(a)(b), Sydney

Graph: House price index(a)(b), Sydney


New houses approved and completed

New housing approvals and completions help maintain the available supply of housing. In recent years there has been a marked decline in the number of new houses approved and completed in NSW. In 2006-07, the number of houses approved for construction had decreased by 43% compared with 2001-02 (11,758 fewer houses approved in 2006-07). The introduction of The New Taxation System (TNTS) in Australia in July 2000, which incorporated the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) scheme had a marked impact on the industry between 1999-00 and 2001-02.

Number of new houses approved and completed, NSW: Original

Graph: Number of new houses approved and completed, NSW: Original



Housing – Summary Table
Data cubes with detailed statistics available on the Details Page