# Dwelling demolition approvals

A dwelling demolition is defined as the complete and intentional dismantling of a dwelling, such that none of the structure remains on site.

Approvals for dwelling demolitions have been sourced from:
*permits issued by local government authorities and other certifying authorities;
*contracts and work authorised by commonwealth, state and local government authorities; and
*major building approvals in areas not subject to normal administrative approval, such as building on remote mine sites.

## Data notes

The data covers only dwellings which have been approved to be fully demolished by a local council or other approving authority.

The data do not represent actual demolitions taking place. Hence, the data do not account for:
*dwellings demolished without approval;
*dwellings partially demolished;
*dwellings destroyed by natural disasters;
dwellings rendered inhabitable by extreme weather events, vandalism, fire damage, modification etc. (except where approval has been granted for the demolition of the remainder of a damaged dwelling
*demolitions that were approved but did not go ahead; or
*the time lag between approval and actual demolition.

On 19 March 2021, South Australia entered the final phase of its new planning system, impacting upon the ABS' receipt of demolition approvals. Legislation changed such that demolition approvals are no longer required in South Australia, unless the dwelling falls within a historic zone, heritage area, or place that is otherwise regarded to be of heritage. This has affected the South Australia series and the Australia series beginning from the June 2021 quarter.
